The issue of Ukraine joining NATO has caused disagreements among the member states ahead of a summit next month, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says London is in favor of providing Ukraine with a quicker path to joining the military alliance of NATO.
Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Ukraine Recovery conference in London, Cleverly declared that the UK government would support suggestions that Kyiv be allowed to forego the so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP) in order to join the US-led alliance.
Aspiring nations are required to meet NATO standards and get ready for future membership under the MAP program, which was introduced by the alliance in 1999.
Cleverly noted that “we have seen Ukraine evolve and evolve quickly,” and that Kyiv “has demonstrated their commitment to military reform required for NATO membership through their actions on the battlefield, and I think all NATO allies recognize that. ”.
Cleverly also made reference to comments made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who stated that Kyiv already satisfies “many of the requirements” of the membership action plan.
The last time Ukraine was given the chance to join NATO was in 2008, subject to it fulfilling the requirements outlined in an action plan. Since February of last year, the nation has been engaged in a military conflict with Russia. Since then, the West has given Kyiv military supplies worth tens of billions of dollars.
Before the NATO summit that will take place in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, next month, the issue of the action plan’s terms has been dividing allies.
The US and Germany have expressed concern that Ukraine joining NATO early could incite Russia and alter the alliance’s composition.
According to US Vice President Joe Biden, Ukraine’s accession to the military alliance will not be “easy” for his administration.
However, it appears that France supports the idea of advancing Ukraine’s membership.
According to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, there is a chance that the MAP will no longer be a step in the road to membership. “.
We have come a long way since 2008. Time has passed, and the circumstances have changed significantly, she continued.
The Ukrainian ambassador to NATO, Natalia Halibarenko, stated on Wednesday that Kyiv must be promised or assured future membership at the upcoming NATO summit.
The formal invitation of Ukraine to NATO will not be discussed at the Vilnius summit, the head of NATO pointed out.
Russia has repeatedly warned US-led NATO forces against the group’s enlargement to the east.
In February of last year, Moscow began a military offensive in Ukraine, which NATO’s eastward expansion was held responsible for.
Additionally, NATO’s courting of former Soviet republics like Georgia and Ukraine has been a major source of criticism from Russian President Vladimir Putin of the West.
