Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Photo: Getty

Mr. Kissinger gave two reasons why he wanted Kiev to join this military alliance. According to Mr. Kissinger, Russia is no longer a normal threat, but has become a serious challenge for NATO. Along with that, Ukraine is actively equipped with modern weapons by Europe. Thanks to that aid, Ukraine will become the country with the best weapons in the region, although its leaders are the least strategically experienced in Europe.

"For the sake of European security, it would be better to admit Ukraine into NATO," Kissinger said, adding that if he had the chance to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, he would say that with Ukraine in NATO, it would also be safe for the Russian leader.

Kissinger said that before Russia's military campaign, he opposed the idea of ​​Ukraine becoming a NATO member because it could lead to conflict. But now he sees no reason why Kiev cannot become a member of the alliance.

However, Mr. Kissinger also pointed out that the majority of Europeans do not want to see Ukraine as part of the alliance and expressed the view that they agree with arming Ukraine and that the country must defend itself.

In late September 2022, Ukraine rushed to apply for NATO membership. At that time, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that to accept a new member, the consent of all members of the alliance is needed.

Last week, during a visit to Kiev, Mr. Stoltenberg said that Ukraine would eventually join NATO and that “all allies agree.” Mr. Stoltenberg’s trip was considered surprising and sensitive. This is at a time when Ukraine has repeatedly urged NATO countries to accept Ukraine as a new member.

However, this statement surprised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, because until now, Hungary was perhaps the member that opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO in the most public and fierce way.