Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin left open the possibility of Kyiv reapplying for a NATO membership even though one of Russia’s primary motives for invading Ukraine was the country’s alignment with the military alliance.
“I think that NATO will always stand by its principles of maintaining an open door, so I don’t want to speculate on what could come,” Austin said after leading a meeting on Ukraine of 40 nations at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
“I do believe that in the future, if the possibility exists, I think Ukraine will seek to, once again, apply to become a member of NATO. But again, that’s probably a bit down the road,” Austin added.
In the months leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moscow delivered a series of security proposals to the US and NATO. Chief among them was a request for a guarantee that Ukraine won’t ever join NATO, but the US wouldn’t entertain the Russian demand.
Back in January, President Biden admitted that Ukraine wouldn’t be joining NATO anytime soon, but he still refused to make the promise. After Russia invaded, Ukrainian President Voldymr Zelensky said at one point he was told that Ukraine won’t be joining NATO, but that the door would be left open publicly.
“I requested them personally to say directly that we are going to accept you into NATO in a year or two or five, just say it directly and clearly, or just say no,” Zelensky said on March 20. “And the response was very clear, you’re not going to be a NATO member, but publicly, the doors will remain open.”
Realistically, Ukraine has no chance of joining NATO while it is fighting a war with Russia. But Austin’s comments signal that the Biden administration isn’t changing its approach.
In peace talks with Ukraine, one of Moscow’s key demands for a ceasefire was for Kyiv to declare its neutrality. Instead of pushing for a diplomatic solution, the Biden administration is pledging more and more arms for Ukraine. At the meeting in Germany, Austin vowed to move “heaven and earth” to get more weapons into Kyiv’s hands.
The United States should just declare war on Russia and be done with it. Launch all ICBM’S and SLBM’S at Russia all at once.
They might as well do this than go with proposing Ukrainian NATO membership. Either way it’ll happen eventually. America loves WAR.
Nuclear Armageddon is really best avoided. If we glassed over Russia in a first strike some of their weapons would survive and harm us, plus there is the whole nuclear winter thing. We would definitely get our hair mussed.
Lloyd J Austin the Turd saying stupid things which throws gasoline on the fire of the Ukraine situation.
Typical low IQ affirmative action quota hire.
Lloyd J Austin the Turd saying stupid things which throws gasoline on the fire of the Ukraine situation.
Typical low IQ affirmative action quota hire.
This clown is going to get somebody nuked. This is past irresponsible, past reckless, all the way to arrogant crazy.
“Pentagon Chief Leaves Open Possibility of Ukraine Reapplying for NATO Membership”
This nut leaves open possibility of welcoming nukes in DC LA NY and so on and on
If that is not the policy of our government he must be sacked immediately.
It is so he won’t be.
I can think of at least 3 NATO countries that would not allow Ukraine to join.