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NATO Assembly chief says: Alliance supports Ukraine’s accession, but membership timing uncertain

October 20, 2024

By Ukraine

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NATO believes that Ukraine is already on an “irreversible path” that will lead to its membership in the Alliance, but it first needs to restore sovereignty over its territories, said NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Gerry Connolly in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Earlier, G7 defense ministers stated in a declaration following a meeting in Naples, held on 18-20 October, that they support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. However, the exact timing of when Ukraine may become a NATO member remains uncertain.

“There is currently a war. We must resolve that, restore Ukraine’s sovereignty, and ensure a clear path to NATO. I believe NATO has made it very obvious, as well as the US, that we welcome the idea of Ukraine joining NATO. We call it an ‘irreversible path’ to membership,” Connolly said.

When asked whether NATO considers Ukraine’s membership conditional upon the liberation of its entire territory, Connolly remarked that this would be the “best way forward.”

“Is it the only way? Maybe not. We don’t know the outcome of this struggle, but we know what result we hope for. That is why NATO and the US government have allocated significant resources and established partnerships with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, so they can stand firm and restore full sovereignty over all their territory,” the NATO representative claimed.

He stated that he also doubts that US President Joe Biden would agree to invite Ukraine to join NATO without consulting the Alliance’s partners before the end of hostilities on its territory.

“President Biden has been sympathetic—and remains sympathetic—to Ukraine’s aspirations, including NATO membership, and he would have a positive stance on that. But would he take specific actions without consulting other NATO allies? That would be impossible. Again, he is focused on priorities. The top priority is to end the violence perpetrated by the Russians on Ukrainian territories,” Connolly noted.

He called the potential involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war in Ukraine a dangerous escalation of the war. In addition, Connolly said that the involvement of North Korean troops highlights Moscow’s weakness.

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