Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen spoke about Ukraine and the alliance, suggesting Ukraine could join in stages. He noted that while much hinges on Ukraine’s own decisions, membership is not out of reach. Rasmussen reflected that such a development could influence the balance of Europe, drawing a comparison to West Germany joining NATO in 1955 as a precedent. Reuters reports that he proposed a scenario where Article 5 security commitments would apply only if there was an attack on parts of the territory under Ukrainian government control.
Rasmussen also warned against delaying Ukraine’s path to NATO, arguing that waiting for a resolution of the ongoing conflict could extend the war and complicate long term outcomes for the alliance. He stressed that strategic timing matters and that a phased approach should be considered in tandem with Ukraine’s own decisions and the broader security landscape in Europe.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has offered his own perspective on why Ukraine may face hurdles in joining NATO, highlighting that membership is not assured and would require careful evaluation of the security and political implications for the alliance. These views come amid ongoing debate among European leaders about how best to integrate Ukraine into Western security structures while maintaining unity among member states.