The head of the US State Department press service, Matthew Miller, addressed recent reports about American delays in Ukraine’s path toward NATO membership. He dismissed the suggestions as inaccurate, clarifying that the United States remains committed to Ukraine joining the alliance. Miller reiterated that President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have consistently affirmed Ukraine’s future membership in NATO, reaffirming Washington’s long-standing position on the alliance’s enlargement.
Earlier, Foreign Policy magazine, citing unnamed sources, reported that the United States and Germany were seeking to postpone the start of Ukraine’s NATO accession process. The article noted that some European partners, including Poland and the Baltic states, view Ukraine’s eventual membership as a means to constrain Russia’s influence in Eastern Europe. In contrast, several Western officials, including representatives from the United States and Germany, reportedly felt that the timing was not right given the ongoing conflict and the broader security calculations facing the alliance. The piece highlighted the significant support Ukraine has received from major donors, with the United States and Germany identified as leading providers of military and economic aid.
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered his perspective on the question of Ukraine’s potential entry into NATO, outlining the reasons he believes the accession is not feasible at this stage. His remarks reflect a cautious approach among some allies who weigh immediate security benefits against political and strategic risks in a volatile regional environment. The discussion underscores the complexity of NATO’s enlargement decisions during an active conflict and the diverse viewpoints among member states and partners about the best path forward for Ukraine and the alliance as a whole.