BRUSSELS: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is currently not prepared to offer Ukraine membership or an invitation to join the alliance, as stated by U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Julianne Smith. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the security situation in Eastern Europe and Ukraine’s aspirations to join the bloc, APA reports citing TASS.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, Representative Smith conveyed in an interview with Politico that NATO has not yet reached a consensus on welcoming Ukraine as a member. She also highlighted potential challenges in defense procurement, pointing out that the European Union’s preference for buying primarily European weapons could delay assistance to Ukraine. “I’m not sure that limiting purchases to the EU will really get assistance on the shortest timeline, to either our friends in Ukraine or to the countries across the alliance that have some real acute shortfalls,” Smith noted.

Smith further addressed concerns regarding the Unite
d States’ commitment to defending European nations under NATO. She emphasized the longstanding U.S. support for the alliance, stating, “For 75 years, US presidents of all political stripes have supported this alliance and committed themselves to providing leadership across the alliance.” Smith expressed confidence that the U.S. will maintain its leadership role within NATO, regardless of the outcomes of upcoming political events in November.

The discussion on Ukraine’s NATO membership comes in the backdrop of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s recent proposal to resolve the conflict with Russia, which includes a call for Ukraine to be immediately invited to join NATO. The alliance, currently comprising 32 countries, recently expanded with Finland and Sweden joining as its newest members.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s opposition to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, urging the West and Kiev to abandon such plans.