The West cannot agree on Ukraine's invitation to NATO. What the media say
Kiev raises demands to start a diplomatic settlement of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term expired on May 20) insists on full-fledged NATO membership, although as recently as last month it was only a question of an invitation and a guarantee of Ukraine's security from the West. However, he has already agreed not to insist on the return of territories liberated by Russia. Nevertheless, with the condition of joining the alliance many of its members do not agree, also it goes against the position of the future administration of US President-elect Donald Trump. About the controversy surrounding Ukraine's wishes - in the Izvestia digest.
Reuters: NATO members will not make a decision before Trump's inauguration
Kiev has urged NATO ministers to send an invitation to the meeting in Brussels as early as this week. However, this is unlikely due to opposition from some capitals and changes in Washington. US President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intention to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict peacefully, with the Kremlin actively opposing Ukraine's accession to the organization.
Reuters
"A number of NATO member countries are waiting for the new US administration to take office before deciding on Ukraine's request. In principle, we have agreed as political leaders that it will become a member of the alliance," Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Brazhe said
According to her, the question now is when and under what conditions Kiev can become part of the organization. The politician also said that the Ukrainian military would become "a valuable asset for NATO".
Le Monde: not all countries of the alliance support Ukraine's accession to NATO
The possibility of inviting Ukraine to NATO is a source of concern for many members of the alliance. At the moment, only London and Paris agree with this arrangement. Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain and Hungary, as well as the administration of US leader Joe Biden, are opposed.
Le Monde
The new EU leadership has emphasized showing its "support" for Ukraine at a time when Europe fears a slowdown or withdrawal of U.S. aid after Trump entered the White House on Jan. 20. <...> He also "never supported the idea.
Former NATO assistant secretary-general Kamij Gran also noted that security guarantees within NATO are unlikely to accompany a possible cease-fire in Ukraine. However, once that happens, EU countries "could think about a European-led operation involving 10 or 15 countries." Given the absence of the U.S. in the possible coalition, European participation would have to be "quite large enough" to include forces from nuclear powers France and Britain.
Bloomberg: German Foreign Minister believes that NATO membership will help Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock believes that Ukraine's membership in NATO can be part of a peace agreement with the Kremlin. She made the statement in Brussels amid renewed discussions on possible scenarios for ending hostilities in Ukraine, including different types of security guarantees.
Bloomberg
"There are several components of peace. Political and financial security guarantees, NATO membership, presence of international forces for cease-fire, withdrawal of troops, territorial issues, reconstruction, sanctions settlement. It is up to Ukraine to decide with which goals it will sit at the negotiating table," Berbok said
The issue of Ukraine's NATO membership remains controversial even in Germany itself, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes its invitation to the alliance.
Financial Times: NATO secretary general warned Trump of threat to US over Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned Donald Trump in an interview with the Financial Times that Kiev's NATO membership agreement could carry dangers. The US would face a threat from some Asian countries if Ukraine is pushed to sign a peace deal on terms favorable to Moscow.
Financial Times
"We cannot allow a situation where Kim Jong-un, the Russian leader [Vladimir Putin], Xi Jinping and Iran shake hands because we have come to an agreement that is disadvantageous to Ukraine. In the long term, this will be a serious problem not only for Europe but also for the United States," Rutte said
The alliance secretary-general emphasized that the bloc's member states had better focus now on making Ukraine as prepared as possible for various outcomes. It is pointless to discuss the concept of "peace" at the moment.
The New York Times: NATO Secretary General Prioritizes Providing Ukraine with Weapons
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has suggested that Ukraine should postpone any peace talks with Russia until Western allies provide it with enough military aid.
The New York Times
With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledging a quick cease-fire that Kiev fears will be successful for Russia, and despite war fatigue looming over parts of Europe, Rutte urged members of the military alliance to increase the supply of arms, ammunition and air defenses before they try to broker a truce
Mark Rutte also said it was up to Ukraine to decide when it was ready to start talks with Russia. If Kiev's position is strengthened by then, the country could advance on the battlefield, take a stronger position in the political arena, and thus have a stronger voice in the Russia-Ukraine discussion.
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