German Defense Ministry supports Ukraine's bid to join NATO, but says unanimous decision needed
Christine Lambrecht (Photo:REUTERS/Annegret Hilse)
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has expressed support for Ukraine's ambition to join NATO in a fast-track process, but only under certain conditions, German newspaper Die Welt reported on Oct. 1.
The minister said that Ukraine has the freedom to choose whether or not to join various alliances. However, she said that this matter had to be discussed by all 30 alliance member states.
“Germany will not act alone,” Lambrecht said.
Canada and the Baltic states immediately backed Ukraine's NATO membership application.
The reception to Ukraine’s application has been lukewarm in the United States, however. According to Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, it is “not the right time” for Ukraine to join the alliance. He said the best way to assist Ukraine is to provide practical assistance "on the ground.”
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, commenting after Ukraine’s surprise announcement of its NATO membership bid, said the alliances's doors are always open to all democratic European countries.
Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the President's Office, stated that Ukraine held conversations with NATO before seeking membership.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sept. 30 that Ukraine would apply for NATO membership on an expedited basis. He urged Ukraine's partners to reach during the country's accession negotiations an agreement on the security guarantees proposals outlined in the Kyiv Security Treaty – a plan for the future security of Ukraine presented earlier.
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