Biden: “Ukraine Not Ready For Nato Membership”

Speaking before departing for the UK ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania this week, the US president said Russia’s war needed to end before the alliance could consider adding Kyiv to its ranks.

“I don’t think it’s ready for membership in Nato,” he said in an interview with CNN. “I don’t think there is unanimity in Nato about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the Nato family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war.

“I think it’s premature to say… to call for a vote – there’s other qualifications that need to be met, including democratisation and some of those issues.”

Mr Biden said he had spoken to Volodymr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, at length about the issue and pledged the US would keep providing security and weaponry yo Ukraine, as it did for Israel, while the process plays out.

“I think we have to lay out a rational path for Ukraine to be able to qualify to be able to get into Nato,” he added.

In the long term, he said Ukraine would join the alliance, adding: “Nato is an open door policy – we are not going to shut anybody out.”

Ukraine’s membership of Nato is expected to feature in talks between Mr Biden and Rishi Sunak, as well as at the summit.

Nato has been committed to Ukraine’s membership since 2008, but disagreements remain over how quickly that can be achieved. Germany, as well as Mr Biden, has reservations about fast-tracking any membership, while Britain has been pushing for early membership.

The US president’s first stop on his three-nation trip will be in London, where he will meet Mr Sunak at Number 10 on Monday and then travel to Windsor Castle for a visit to King Charles. Talks with the monarch are expected to include climate initiatives.

Mr Biden will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday night to hold talks with Nato leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He will deliver a speech at Vilnius University on Wednesday night. Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, told reporters the speech will cover Mr Biden’s vision of “a strong, confident America flanked by strong, confident allies and partners taking on the significant challenges of our time, from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine to the climate crisis”.

Solid majorities of Americans support providing weaponry to Ukraine and believe  such aid demonstrates to China and other US rivals a will to protect American interests and allies, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey late last month.

One of Mr Biden’s objectives on the trip is to show Americans the importance of continuing support for Ukraine as he faces re-election. Some of his Republican rivals have voiced doubts about his strategy.

The president’s last stop will be in Helsinki for talks with the leaders of Finland, the newest Nato member, and to attend a summit of US and Nordic leaders.