NATO Secretary General does not know when Ukraine will join the alliance

According to RIA Novosti on May 25, in an interview with the Economist, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he did not know when Ukraine would become part of the alliance.

The Economist says Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO remain "remote". Secretary General Stoltenberg's words imply that even if the conflict ends - Ukraine would technically be ready to become a member of the alliance.

According to NATO Secretary General, it is important that Ukraine's defense agencies comply with NATO standards, then perhaps the country will be able to join the alliance.

“Even if all goes well for Ukraine, its NATO membership may not last for many years,” says the Economist.

The head of NATO's Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, said in March 2024 that the issue of Ukraine's membership in the alliance had been decided, but discussions were ongoing about "when this will happen and what is required for this accession."

US Permanent Representative to NATO Julianne Smith said in late April 2024 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be invited to attend the NATO Summit scheduled to take place in Washington in July, as Ukraine will still be a "dominant topic". At the same time, Julianne Smith made it clear that Ukraine will not immediately join NATO at the summit.

Secretary General Stoltenberg also said he did not expect an agreement on Ukraine's membership at the upcoming summit in Washington./.