RT.com
29 Nov 2022, 19:43 GMT+10
The media outlet claims the military alliance will issue an ambivalent statement, saying now is not the time for Kiev to join
The foreign ministers of NATO member states are set to reiterate the military alliance's readiness to welcome Ukraine into the bloc in principle, Bloomberg has reported. However, they are also expected to make it clear that Kiev cannot join at present.
A two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers got underway on Tuesday in Bucharest, Romania. Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, said the military alliance is expected to state that "its door remains open" to Ukraine, but that "now is not the time" for the country's accession.
At least some NATO member states are seriously concerned that, by accepting Ukraine into the alliance, the bloc could be dragged into a direct military confrontation with Russia due to its collective defense commitments, the report claimed.
With a lack of consensus on the issue, alliance countries have reportedly agreed to prioritize weapons deliveries to Kiev for the time being to ensure that Ukraine prevails on the battlefield.
Announcing Moscow's military campaign against its neighbor in late February, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the prospect of NATO membership for Ukraine, describing it as a major threat to Russia's security.
Bloomberg noted that the foreign ministers were convening in the same city where Ukraine and Georgia were promised that they would eventually be accepted into the alliance back in 2008.
The initiative was spearheaded by then-US President George W. Bush and his French colleague Nicolas Sarkozy at the time, but then-German chancellor Angela Merkel was far less enthusiastic about the idea, arguing that it would be seen as escalatory by the Kremlin. President Putin, in turn, made it clear that Russia would have to respond.
In September, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky urged the military alliance to act on the promise made 14 years ago. His adviser Mikhail Podolyak argued that Ukraine's accession would be in NATO's own interest as the country "already has the biggest army in Europe," as well as unique "experience of conducting a conventional war against Russia."
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Moscow Inquirer news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Moscow Inquirer.
More InformationDUBLIN, Ireland: Dublin has unveiled a new 5.5 million euro cycle track along the south quays, enhancing safety and accessibility for...
ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE, Philippines: France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its warships arrived in the Philippines over...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Dublin has been ranked as the second most expensive city for apartment construction among ten major European locations,...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland is positioning itself to host a high-profile gathering of European leaders next year, with Tanaiste Simon...
BRUSSELS/LONDON: The European Commission is preparing to ease sustainability reporting requirements for businesses as part of a broader...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's rental market continued to tighten in 2024, with average rents rising by 5.7 percent over the year, according...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Three American women were found dead over the weekend at a beach resort in Belize, police said. Officials are...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Chinese authorities said they started live-fire military exercises in the Gulf of Tonkin this week, just days after...
ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE, Philippines: France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its warships arrived in the Philippines over...
FRESNO, California: Fresno State suspended two of its top men's basketball players last weekend and removed a third player from the...
WARSAW, Poland: Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed over the weekend that Poland has been covering the cost of Ukraine's...
Israel sustained the West's support for its slaughter in Gaza for 15 months only through an intensive campaign of lies. It invented...