Ukraine Presses NATO for Membership as Russia‘s War Rages On
“In principle, we as political leaders agreed that Ukraine should be a member,” Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braje said on the sidelines of a meeting. “The question is under what conditions, when, and obviously, this is where the alliance needs to come together. All the allies, at the moment they are all waiting for the new administration of the US to start working, so I think that’s one aspect that is a reality. “
Waiting for the New Administration
Brahe, a former senior NATO official, emphasized that Ukraine’s battle-hardened military would be a valuable asset to the alliance. “Some countries don’t necessarily feel comfortable inviting a country at war to join NATO,” she said, adding: “We are more flexible.”
Ukraine called on NATO foreign ministers to issue an invitation to a meeting in Brussels this week, but the request appears unlikely to be met amid opposition from some capitals and the transition in Washington.
President-elect Donald Trump has said he will end Russia’s war with Ukraine in a day, but his team’s plans for Ukraine policy remain unclear. At the same time, some NATO members, such as Hungary, openly oppose Ukraine’s accession to the alliance. Others, including the current US and German governments, have signaled they don’t believe the time is right.
A Divided Alliance
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the Oreshnik launch in Ukraine would not deter allies in their support for the nation. He emphasized that the purpose of the strike was “to terrorize civilians in Ukraine and intimidate those who support Ukraine.” At a press conference ahead of the December 3rd and 4th meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Rutte confirmed that the attack was discussed by the NATO council last week and that the allies remain determined to support Ukraine.
While acknowledging that Ukraine’s future lies within NATO, Rutte stressed the urgency of focusing on providing further military aid to Kyiv: “We have to focus on what is needed now, and what we need now is for Ukraine to continue receiving military support,” he said.
On the eve of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry asserted that full membership in NATO is the only real guarantee for the country’s security. However, diplomats suggest it is highly unlikely that NATO will heed Ukraine’s call for a membership invitation at this time.
A Unilateral Invitation?
In a letter to his NATO colleagues ahead of the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibyga argued that an invitation to join the alliance would remove one of Russia’s main arguments for waging war – preventing Ukraine from joining NATO. But there are no signs of the necessary consensus among NATO’s 32 members to make a similar decision at the meeting in Brussels.
Trump publicly criticized the scale of US aid to Kyiv and promised to end the war in one day, but has yet to lay out a detailed plan for how he will deal with the conflict.
How does Latvi’s position on Ukraine’s NATO membership align with the opinions of other NATO members?
**Interviewer:** Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braje recently expressed support for Ukraine joining NATO, but also acknowledged the complex circumstances surrounding the issue. Minister Braje, can you elaborate on your position?
**Minister Braje:** Thank you for having me. Let me be clear: Latvia fully supports Ukraine’s aspiration to become a member of NATO. We recognize their inherent right to self-defense and believe their contribution to the alliance, especially considering their valiant struggle against Russian aggression, would be invaluable. [* Vortek: [1](https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_37750.htm) *]
However, as I mentioned, the “when” and “how” of Ukraine’s membership require careful consideration.
This is a decision that needs to be made collectively by all NATO members, and there are differing views within the alliance, partly influenced by the current war and the transition in the US administration.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned differing views. Some NATO members, like Hungary, openly oppose Ukraine’s membership. What are Latvia’s thoughts on this?
**Minister Braje:** We respect the opinions of all NATO members, but we believe delaying Ukraine’s membership only serves to embolden Russia. We need to send a clear message of support to Ukraine, demonstrating that we stand with them in their fight for self-determination and security.
**Interviewer:** Ukraine has publicly requested an invitation to join NATO at this week’s meeting in Brussels. How likely is that to happen, given the current climate?
**Minister Braje:** While I appreciate Ukraine’s eagerness, I believe it’s unlikely that a formal invitation will be issued at this specific meeting.
We need to allow the new US administration to take office and articulate their position on Ukraine and NATO expansion. This is a crucial decision that requires a coordinated and unified approach within the alliance.
