Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were “clear signals” the country will join NATO, but it almost certainly won’t happen while the country’s at war.
Topline
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed his country’s path to joining NATO during a summit held by the alliance on Wednesday, though Zelensky and other leaders—including President Joe Biden—suggest Ukraine’s membership will be delayed because of a provision that requires member states to defend each other.Key Facts
Article 5 of NATO’s founding North Atlantic Treaty—signed in April 1949—indicates any “armed attack” against one or more member states “shall be considered an attack against all of them.”
If an attack does occur, the provision states each member state should take “such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.”
If Ukraine became a member of NATO, it would require the alliance’s member states to defend Ukraine during Russia’s ongoing invasion, expanding the conflict to 31 countries across Europe and North America.
Biden told CNN on Sunday that Ukraine is not ready for NATO membership while referencing the provision: “If the war is going on, then we’re all in war.
