During a joint press conference with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba voiced a clear stance on NATO’s expansion framework. He stated that the Membership Action Plan should not block Ukraine’s path toward alliance membership, arguing that the MAP has essentially run its course and should no longer function as a gatekeeper for Kyiv. The remarks, attributed to DEA News, outlined a view that this mechanism is outdated and should not be used to assess Ukraine’s future within NATO.
According to Kuleba, the MAP should be understood not as a fixed milestone on the road to membership but as a relic of a previous era in alliance decision-making. He suggested that the mechanism no longer serves its intended purpose and should be set aside when evaluating Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic prospects. In his assessment, Kyiv believes the country can pursue security guarantees and integration with Western security structures without being bound by the MAP framework.
The Ukrainian foreign minister emphasized that Kiev does not claim the right to dictate NATO decisions. Instead, Kyiv seeks a reaffirmation of Ukraine’s right to participate in shaping regional security in a manner aligned with allied principles and timelines. This stance reflects a broader push to advance Ukraine’s security interests while respecting the alliance’s internal process and member states’ sovereignty.
Earlier comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored the urgency of a concrete signal from NATO. He indicated that there would be little value in attending the Vilnius summit if Ukraine did not receive a clear, tangible indication about its membership prospects. The President’s remarks signaling impatience with ambiguous commitments highlighted Kyiv’s insistence on measurable progress and credible assurances from NATO partners. The discussion comes amid ongoing debates in Kyiv about how best to secure lasting security assurances while navigating alliance procedures and regional diplomacy.