US envoy: NATO's invitation to Ukraine remains off the table

The North Atlantic Alliance is currently not ready to offer Kyiv membership or an invitation to join NATO, according to Julianne Smith, the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO.

"At this time, the alliance has not reached the point where it is prepared to extend an offer of membership or an invitation to Ukraine," she remarked in an interview with Politico, per Caliber.Az.

Smith further indicated that the European Union's restrictions on defence procurement, which prioritize acquiring primarily European weapons, could impede assistance to Ukraine. "I am uncertain whether these procurement limitations in the EU will genuinely benefit our friends in Ukraine or the alliance countries that are facing a critical shortage of arms in the near term," she added.

Additionally, the ambassador addressed the potential for the United States to reduce its defence commitments to European nations within NATO. "For 75 years, U.S. presidents from all political backgrounds have supported this alliance and taken on leadership roles within it. I am fully confident that the U.S. will continue to fulfil this role moving forward, regardless of what transpires on November 5," Smith stated.

In related news, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed during a press conference on October 21 that he anticipates an invitation for NATO membership from Ukraine's partners within internationally recognized borders.

When asked about the conditions for Ukraine's accession and the potential duration of the process, the president remarked that these matters are now in the realm of diplomacy. "There can be various formats," Zelenskyy noted.

He stressed that Ukraine is not negotiating NATO membership in exchange for occupied territories.

"We are not discussing this. However, I believe that these media leaks are not coincidental. It appears that some partners might entertain such ideas. Thus, they do not approach me directly on this issue but instead use the media to gauge its temperature. I think it all hinges on the Ukrainian society," the president concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova