Ukraine’s war with Russia must end before the country can join NATO, President Biden said in an interview that aired Sunday.
Biden made the statement in a taped conversation with CNN, saying there was no agreement within NATO on when Ukraine would be allowed to join the military alliance. Biden also noted some issues with Ukraine’s eligibility, such as the lack of democratization.
“I think we need to lay out a reasonable path for Ukraine to be eligible to enter NATO,” Biden told CNN.
“I don’t think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family right now, at this moment, in the middle of a war,” Biden said. “For example, if you did that, then you know – and I mean what I say – we are determined to give every inch of territory that is NATO territory. It’s a commitment that we all made no matter what . If war is going on, then we’re all at war. We’re at war with Russia, if that’s the case.”
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Ukraine’s war with Russia must end before the country can join NATO, President Biden said Sunday, adding that there is no agreement within NATO on when Ukraine will be allowed to join the military alliance. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
However, Biden has pledged to continue sending aid to Ukraine as it moves to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression. The US has already contributed nearly $100 billion to the effort.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lobbied to join NATO for months after the Russian invasion. Such a move would oblige US and Western allies to fully join the conflict and declare war on Russia, something Biden hopes to avoid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lobbied to join NATO for months after the Russian invasion. (Kyodo News via AP)
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The US has delivered tens of thousands of artillery shells, extensive missile defense systems, and information to Ukrainian forces. Western allies have also provided modern tanks to aid Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive. The US will send 31 of its M1 Abrams tanks once Ukrainian crews are trained to operate and maintain the vehicles.
Biden also endorsed the idea of delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukrainian forces. Such a move would require months of training for Ukrainian pilots, something that is already underway. Although Biden previously opposed the idea in January, he shifted his stance and called for training to begin in May.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listed Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as the main reason for his invasion. (Reuters)
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has encouraged Ukraine’s NATO membership more aggressively, though he has taken no action to expedite Ukraine’s application.
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“Let me be clear, Ukraine’s rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family,” Stoltenberg said in April. “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO.”
