Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s push for NATO membership has hit significant resistance, with at least seven NATO countries voicing opposition to Ukraine joining the alliance during the ongoing conflict with Russia. While Zelensky is intensifying his lobbying efforts, these nations’ hesitations underscore NATO’s concerns about being drawn into an active war with Russia if Ukraine were admitted prematurely.
Zelensky’s vision of victory is closely tied to NATO support, and the Ukrainian president sees membership as essential to securing his nation’s long-term security. However, the practicalities of NATO membership, especially during an active conflict, present significant challenges, and a unified response from NATO remains elusive. According to reporting by Politico, Germany and the United States are among the prominent NATO members resisting the push for an immediate invitation to Ukraine, a move some officials say could set a dangerous precedent and pull the alliance into direct confrontation with Russia.
Several anonymous U.S. and NATO diplomats revealed that these internal disagreements have delayed any move toward granting Ukraine a clear path to membership. The reluctance of the U.S. and Germany, which represent a substantial portion of NATO’s military and political power, is further echoed by other European nations such as Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain, whose leadership also has reservations about accelerating Ukraine’s accession.
The outgoing U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, clarified Washington’s stance, saying, “The alliance has not, to date, reached the point where it is prepared to offer membership or an invitation to Ukraine.” This sentiment is mirrored by other NATO officials who point out the alliance’s longstanding principle of mutual defense: any attack on a NATO member is treated as an attack on all. As Ukraine’s conflict with Russia escalates, NATO leaders worry that extending membership could obligate the alliance to respond directly to Russian aggression.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government is a significant contributor to Ukrainian aid, has been candid about Germany’s reluctance. Zelensky himself has acknowledged Germany’s hesitancy, stating, “I have a very good relationship with Scholz. I am grateful that Scholz is helping. Germany is second in terms of support.” However, he also admitted, “The fact that the German side is skeptical about our joining NATO is a fact.” Zelensky is reportedly hopeful that U.S. influence might shift Germany’s position, but the American stance remains cautious.
Hungary and Slovakia are also vocally opposed to Ukraine’s swift entry into NATO. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has blocked EU funds designated for Ukraine, a stance that has been met with criticism from other European leaders. Slovakia’s newly elected Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has also been blunt in his opposition, warning that granting NATO membership to Ukraine could provoke “a good basis for a third world war” and declaring that he would “never agree” to Ukraine joining while the conflict continues.
Several other nations, such as Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain, reportedly support Ukraine’s NATO aspirations only in theory. According to one NATO official, these countries are “reluctant” and may distance themselves from the membership question if it becomes more tangible. A second official explained, “Countries support it in the abstract, but once it gets closer to materializing, they will start to balk at the idea more publicly.” This restrained support highlights the significant divide within NATO on how to balance alliance expansion with regional stability.
While these larger NATO members remain cautious, Zelensky has found allies among Ukraine’s neighbors, notably Poland and the Baltic states, who see Ukrainian membership as a vital step to bolster regional security against Russia. These countries have consistently advocated for Ukraine’s membership, viewing it as a critical deterrent to further Russian expansion.
Scholz emphasized NATO’s desire to avoid becoming a direct participant in the war, stating last week during President Joe Biden’s visit to Berlin, “We are making sure that NATO does not become a party to the war, so that this war does not turn into a much greater catastrophe.” His comments reflect a broader concern that pushing NATO membership during wartime could bring unintended consequences and exacerbate an already volatile situation.
Zelensky’s focus on NATO membership is part of a broader “victory plan” to secure Ukraine’s post-war future. Yet, with several key NATO members and allies signaling that they are unwilling to accelerate membership, Zelensky’s ambitious plans may face substantial delays.
Admittance to NATO would mean integrating Ukraine under NATO’s collective defense policy, which obligates member nations to defend any ally under attack, effectively committing NATO to defend Ukraine against Russia. This dynamic raises the stakes and explains the hesitance of many NATO members to commit fully to the idea of Ukrainian membership during wartime.
The impasse leaves Ukraine’s NATO prospects uncertain, with Zelensky’s team facing significant diplomatic challenges in gaining consensus. For now, the alliance’s focus remains on supporting Ukraine through military aid and strategic cooperation, without crossing the line into direct membership.
The complex interplay between NATO’s principles, regional stability, and global security underscores the challenges of expanding the alliance amid ongoing conflicts. For Zelensky, the immediate road to NATO membership appears fraught with obstacles.
