NATO reaffirms commitment to Ukraine membership

Meeting in Bucharest, Romania, the Foreign Ministers of NATO said Tuesday in a joint statement that Ukraine will one day become a part of their alliance—although not immediately, and likely not soon. Parts of Ukraine are occupied by Russia, which claims to have annexed four regions, making it difficult for Ukraine to draw its borders at its own discretion. Many of NATO’s members believe the alliance should focus on supporting Ukraine during the ongoing war. Attempting to move forward with membership now could divide the alliance, and a divided alliance will not win the war, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. 

What is NATO doing in the meantime? NATO is likely to pledge more nonlethal support to avoid being dragged into the war. In the past, it has pledged resources like fuel, generators, and medical supplies. During this meeting, it is likely to pledge things that will help Ukraine make it through the winter. Stoltenberg accused Russia of using winter as a weapon and trying to break Ukrainian civilians’ morale. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce an aid package to help repair Ukraine’s power grid. Other individual NATO members are expected to announce weapons to aid Ukraine.

Dig deeper: Read Todd Vician’s report in WORLD Magazine on Russia’s nuclear capabilities.