
Why is it taking so long for Ukraine to join NATO? Experts weigh in
CTV
After Russia annexed four regions of Ukraine in September amid its ongoing invasion of the eastern European country, Ukraine announced it had signed an accelerated application to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Will Ukraine become a NATO member anytime soon? CTVNews.ca turned to experts on Russia's war in Ukraine to better understand.
"We are de facto allies. This has already been achieved," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a speech on Sept. 30. "Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure…Under an accelerated procedure. We understand that this requires the consensus of all members of the alliance."
However, as of Nov. 29, it looked unlikely Ukraine will receive the support it needs to join NATO quickly.
That day, NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed the alliance's commitment to supporting Ukraine and making it a member someday, but was careful to state that NATO "is not a party to the war."
"We recognize and respect Ukraine’s aspirations for membership," Stoltenberg said during a press conference following the first session of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest, Romania.