KYIV – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on NATO to extend a formal invitation to Kyiv for membership during the alliance’s foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels next week, according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Nov 29. This appeal underscores Ukraine’s push to solidify its future within the Western security bloc despite the ongoing war with Russia.
Ukraine acknowledges that joining NATO during an active conflict is not feasible but believes an invitation would demonstrate to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his aim of preventing Ukraine’s alliance with NATO has failed. The request aligns with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan” to secure peace and territorial integrity.
While NATO has declared Ukraine’s eventual membership “irreversible,” it has yet to issue a formal timeline. Diplomats suggest the lack of consensus among NATO’s 32 members may delay any invitation.
In his letter, Mr. Sybiha argued the timing was crucial, calling it a fitting response to Russia’s ongoing escalation, including the involvement of North Korean troops and the use of Ukraine as a weapons testing ground. He urged NATO to take this decisive step during the December 3-4 meeting, emphasizing its symbolic and strategic importance in countering Russian aggression.