NATO foreign ministers appear poised to delay Ukraine’s push for membership, with fears that an offer extended before Donald Trump’s January inauguration could provoke a backlash from the incoming US administration.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had called for recommendations from NATO to advance Kyiv’s bid to join the alliance during Tuesday’s meeting in Brussels. However, scepticism within NATO and apprehensions about Trump’s reaction have stalled progress.
US officials have privately expressed concerns that Trump, who has vowed to pursue a quick resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine, might rescind any membership offer made under the current administration.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reaffirmed that “Ukraine is on the path to NATO,” but stopped short of endorsing an immediate move towards membership.
Amid NATO hesitation, Ukraine faces intensifying Russian offensives on its eastern front. Kyiv continues to advocate for advanced air defence systems, including the US THAAD and the US-Israeli Arrow, as it braces for new Russian missile threats.
The Biden administration recently announced a $725 million military aid package, but concerns linger about future support under Trump, who has criticised the scale of US aid to Ukraine.
NATO’s reluctance to expedite Ukraine’s membership reflects its delicate balancing act. While Kyiv’s inclusion would send a strong signal to Russia, it risks escalating the conflict further.
Meanwhile, European allies are contemplating deploying troops to enforce a future ceasefire as part of broader security guarantees for Ukraine. However, these discussions are at an early stage, with significant details yet to be ironed out.
Trump has pledged to end the Ukraine war within hours of taking office, though specifics remain unclear. His envoy, Keith Kellogg, has hinted at shelving Ukraine’s NATO ambitions in favour of alternative security guarantees.
