U.S. NATO Representative Reacts to Zelensky's Call for Immediate Membership Invitation
According to Washington's envoy to NATO, the US-led alliance will not extend an invitation for Kiev to join in the near future. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Julianne Smith, the US permanent representative to NATO, stated that Ukraine's accession to the military alliance is not a matter to be resolved “short-term.” This comment came on Wednesday after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky expressed a desire for an immediate invitation to join NATO.
During an online media briefing, Smith clarified that the US-led NATO has already conveyed its position regarding Ukraine's potential membership, affirming that “Ukraine is on an irreversible path of membership and that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance.” Nonetheless, she acknowledged that this membership would not happen in the near future.
“We are not at the point right now where the alliance is talking about issuing an invitation in the short term. But as always, we will continue conversations with our friends in Ukraine to talk to them about ways in which they can continue to move closer to this alliance,” she noted.
These remarks come after Zelensky presented his much-anticipated “victory plan” to the Ukrainian parliament on the same day. He recently visited Western capitals to discuss this plan with Ukraine's allies in private.
This “victory plan” includes a new five-point agenda, which notably includes a call for Ukraine's immediate acceptance into NATO. Additionally, Kyiv is requesting the West to remove restrictions on the use of foreign-made long-range weapons for strikes against Russia and to “deploy a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package” on its territory.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
During an online media briefing, Smith clarified that the US-led NATO has already conveyed its position regarding Ukraine's potential membership, affirming that “Ukraine is on an irreversible path of membership and that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance.” Nonetheless, she acknowledged that this membership would not happen in the near future.
“We are not at the point right now where the alliance is talking about issuing an invitation in the short term. But as always, we will continue conversations with our friends in Ukraine to talk to them about ways in which they can continue to move closer to this alliance,” she noted.
These remarks come after Zelensky presented his much-anticipated “victory plan” to the Ukrainian parliament on the same day. He recently visited Western capitals to discuss this plan with Ukraine's allies in private.
This “victory plan” includes a new five-point agenda, which notably includes a call for Ukraine's immediate acceptance into NATO. Additionally, Kyiv is requesting the West to remove restrictions on the use of foreign-made long-range weapons for strikes against Russia and to “deploy a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package” on its territory.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
