NATO nations in eastern Europe have pushed for a better roadmap for Ukraine to obtain membership, but key allies like the United States and Germany have been reluctant to go much beyond a vague 2014 pledge that Kyiv will join one day.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, however, had suggested Friday it was possible some requirements for membership could be eased if Ukraine was eventually ready to join.
NATO countries have already supplied weaponry worth tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine since Moscow launched its all-out invasion last February.
Yet some leaders in NATO worry that expanding membership to Ukraine would increase the chance of the alliance confronting Russia directly in a war.
Finland became NATO’s 31st member in April, while Sweden’s application to join the alliance has been stalled by Turkey. Ankara accuses Sweden of harboring Kurdish militants that it considers terrorists.
Biden was also asked Saturday about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assertions that Moscow had deployed nuclear arms within close ally and neighbor Belarus.
“I’ve commented on that many times. It’s totally irresponsible,” Biden told reporters at a military base near Washington, on his way to speak in Philadelphia.
The president’s comments echoed sentiments from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who a day earlier had called Belarus’ choice to accept the weapons “provocative.”
Source: CNA
