US and Germany remain opposed to swift Ukraine NATO membership – report
The United States and Germany are both reluctant to support Ukraine’s speedy accession to NATO as soon as there is a ceasefire in the war with Russia, German newspaper Bild reported on July 10, citing an internal document from the German government and anonymous high-ranking diplomats.
During multi-day talks ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, participants were finalizing a communique for the summit. Some countries, including France, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden and Turkey, have expressed support for inviting Ukraine to join NATO immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, according to the report. However, both Germany and the United States have yet to back this plan.
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Bild reports that Berlin and Washington are advocating for the adherence to the Membership Action Plan, outlined for Ukraine in 2008. This plan includes a series of steps and conditions that Kyiv must meet before receiving an invitation to join NATO.
According to unnamed sources, representatives of various positions have agreed on phone discussions and have sent diplomats to reach a unified position for the Alliance by July 11.
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A source told Bild that intense negotiations are ongoing, but assured that "Ukraine will not leave empty-handed."
On July 9, U.S. President Joe Biden said that Ukraine isn't ready for NATO membership and expressed the belief that the conflict must conclude before the Alliance can consider Ukraine's application.
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The NATO summit is set for July 11-12, and Ukraine is hoping for a clear signal about the Alliance being ready to extend an invitation.
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