The US Signals Readiness to Invite Ukraine to NATO, Le Monde Reports

The United States has reportedly shifted its stance on Ukraine’s NATO membership, no longer opposing an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance. This change in Washington’s position could influence Germany’s outlook on the issue, as Berlin has been a key opponent of Ukraine’s NATO accession.

According to Le Monde, US President Joe Biden discussed Ukraine’s NATO prospects during a meeting in Berlin with leaders from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Previously, the US and Germany had resisted steps towards Ukraine’s NATO membership, but now Washington is no longer fundamentally against extending an invitation to Kyiv.

Several sources cited by Le Monde believe that this shift in the US position might eventually lead to a change in Germany’s stance, which remains opposed to Ukraine’s NATO membership. The UK and France, on the other hand, are more supportive of Ukraine’s inclusion in the alliance.

Ukraine’s accession to NATO has been a central goal of its foreign policy, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. While discussions continue among Western leaders, challenges remain as NATO decisions require consensus from all 32 member states, with potential resistance expected from countries like Turkey and Hungary.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his Victory Plan, with NATO membership as a central point. This plan aims to secure a formal invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance, a step seen as crucial in ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security and a key element in ending the war on its terms.