According to reports from the Associated Press, Ukraine’s path toward NATO membership hinges on a clearly defined border. NATO diplomats told the press that for Kyiv to become a member, its internationally recognized borders must be clearly drawn and accepted. That clarity is seen as essential to prevent any misinterpretation of the alliance’s commitments under Article 5, the collective defense clause, in a crisis scenario involving a state with contested borders.
Experts explain that setting borders in stone helps avoid legal ambiguities that could affect how the alliance would respond to aggression along or within those lines. Clarity about territory and population aims to prevent disputes over what falls under NATO protection and who bears responsibility for security. The move also reinforces the principle that NATO’s obligations apply to the territory recognized by the international community, not to areas still in dispute. The broader aim is to provide a stable framework for security while Kyiv continues reforms and seeks consensus with alliance members as it pursues eventual membership.
In early October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky named the main objective as securing a formal invitation to join the alliance. He described the goal as attainable and pledged that Kyiv would persist in pushing for membership, stating that the country would do whatever it takes to reach that milestone. The message from Kyiv is clear: NATO membership remains central to Ukraine’s security strategy even as it navigates a difficult war with Russia and builds readiness for future integration.
Recently Zelensky moved from tentative statements to presenting a five point plan he casts as a roadmap toward victory. The opening plank calls for inviting Kyiv to join NATO while negotiations and active hostilities with Russia continue. Advocates argue that signaling membership during the crisis could anchor the alliance’s defense guarantees and reinforce NATO deterrence. At the same time, Kyiv stresses that concrete reforms and practical steps toward alliance standards must accompany any invitation.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded with cautious language, saying he cannot declare full endorsement of all elements in Zelensky’s plan at this stage. He highlighted the need to deepen understanding on a range of issues and encouraged continued private dialogue among member states to evaluate implications, border questions, and the sequencing of any invitation. The approach is described as careful and collaborative, with anticipation of broader consensus before any formal steps proceed.
Earlier remarks by a former Ukrainian president suggested that the victory plan contains discreet provisions shaping negotiations. While specifics were not disclosed, observers say the broader framework points to a mix of security guarantees, border clarity, and reforms tied to alliance readiness. The ongoing dialogue continues among Kyiv, its partners, and alliance circles, aiming to translate political ambition into concrete actions on the ground.