A high-ranking Ukrainian diplomat asserts that inviting Ukraine to NATO would be a significant legacy for President Biden.
“We believe that an invitation to Ukraine now would send a strong political signal, and we sincerely think it could be part of the current American administration's legacy,” the diplomat said.
Russia has used Ukraine's potential NATO membership as a propaganda tool to justify its war, while Ukrainian officials argue that joining the alliance is essential for protection against future Russian aggression, Reuters reports.
Halibarenko emphasized that an invitation to NATO would resolve a key issue between Kyiv and Moscow. “If we receive an invitation, it would be a final verdict for Russia — they could no longer raise the stakes on this topic,” she stated.
She added that while Kyiv is not demanding immediate membership negotiations, receiving an official invitation now would send a powerful signal. When asked when Ukraine would like to receive an invitation, she replied, “The sooner, the better.”
With the U.S. presidential election set for November 5, 2024, uncertainty looms for Ukraine, as Washington remains the largest provider of military aid to Kyiv in its conflict with Russia.