Before the NATO summit - NATO Secretary General hopes Ukraine will join by 2034
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expresses his desire for Ukraine's membership in the alliance within the next decade. "I really hope that Ukraine will become a member," he replied in an interview with the German Press Agency in response to a question about possible expansion before 2034. He has worked towards this during his tenure at NATO.
Stoltenberg also called for more military aid for the country attacked by Russia just before the NATO summit in Washington. "The stronger our support, the faster this war can end. (...) The more we commit long-term, the faster the war can end," he said. "Putin believes that he can wait us out. We need to convince him that he cannot wait us out, and that can then create the conditions to end the war."
At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Stoltenberg announced that the new aid he expects would include the establishment of a new NATO command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training for Ukrainian forces. He also mentioned points such as more financing, more military support, and new security agreements.
He agreed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that these elements could be a bridge to the Ukraine's hoped-for NATO membership. He added.
With his comments on NATO expansion, Stolzenberg is taking a position alongside those NATO countries pushing for significant progress in the process. However, within the alliance, this topic is controversial.
There is still no timeline for Ukraine's accession or an official invitation. The NATO will only be able to issue an invitation "when the allies are in agreement and the conditions are met," according to a statement from the previous year. Concrete examples given at that time were "additional necessary reforms in the areas of democracy and the security sector."
Chancellor Scholz tempers NATO expectations
To make progress in the accession process, consensus among the 32 member states is necessary. However, this consensus is not currently available due to countries like Germany and the United States. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz made this clear in several questions on the topic. He emphasized that the Russian aggression war must first come to an end. However, this could be problematic for Ukraine, as it could be used by Moscow as an argument against negotiations on NATO membership. One of Putin's declared war goals is the prevention of a NATO membership bid by Ukraine's neighbor.
Recent remarks from US President Joe Biden caused a stir. In an interview with the US magazine "Time," he was asked about a peace solution for the country and replied, "Peace means making sure Russia never, never, never, never occupies Ukraine." This is not meant to imply that Ukraine should be part of NATO. "It means having a relationship with them, like we have with other countries, where we provide them with weapons so they can defend themselves in the future."
## Stoltenberg's last regular NATO summit
In order to send a positive message to the people in Ukraine despite the NATO summit, it is currently being discussed in the alliance to describe the membership process of the country as irreversible - that is, not to be stopped. The heads of state and government of NATO countries are expected to attend the summit as a guest, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A session of the so-called NATO-Ukraine Council is also planned.
Stoltenberg's last NATO summit as Secretary General
For Stoltenberg, the NATO summit in Washington will be the last regular one before his departure from the military alliance. He hands over his office on October 1 to the former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte. Regarding his designated successor, Stoltenberg told dpa that Rutte would be an excellent NATO Secretary General. In his previous position as prime minister, Rutte had already shown that he could build consensus. The necessary experience and knowledge for the new task he brings with him.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shares Stoltenberg's desire for Ukraine's NATO membership, but emphasizes the importance of resolving the ongoing war with Russia first.
- At the NATO summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected as a guest, and a session of the NATO-Ukraine Council is planned.
- Stoltenberg has advocated for a stronger military aid package for Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, including a new NATO command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training.
- Russia's President Putin has stated that preventing Ukraine's NATO membership is one of his declared war goals.
- Amidst controversy within the alliance, Stoltenberg and some NATO countries push for significant progress in Ukraine's accession process, with no clear timeline for membership or an official invitation from the NATO.
