NATO member-states are in discussions to determine the conditions under which Ukraine may be invited to join the military alliance in response to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “victory plan,” according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
Zelenskyy recently unveiled a five-point plan, including a plea for an immediate NATO invitation to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his invasion would result in geopolitical defeat.
While NATO has acknowledged that Ukraine will eventually become a member, it has emphasized that entry is not possible while the country is at war, as this could lead to a direct conflict with Russia.
Despite Zelenskyy’s push for a prompt invitation, NATO leaders have yet to offer a direct response to the proposal.
For Ukraine to receive an invitation, Brekelmans highlighted the need for consensus among the 32 NATO members on clear criteria that Ukraine must fulfill, such as combating corruption and modernizing its armed forces with the involvement of other nations.