SUMMARY
- President Biden hints at Ukraine's unpreparedness for NATO membership amidst ongoing conflict.
- The upcoming NATO summit is expected to focus on the potential inclusion of Ukraine and Sweden.
- The US's decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine faces criticism due to potential civilian harm.
In a recent conversation with CNN, President Biden suggested that Ukraine might not yet be prepared for inclusion into NATO. He noted that inviting Ukraine into the alliance right now, especially considering the current conflict, may not garner unanimous agreement among NATO members.
Biden's statements came just before his trip to Europe for the NATO summit in Lithuania. The meeting is anticipated to prominently feature discussions around the potential memberships of Ukraine and Sweden.
Biden further explained to CNN that initiating a vote for Ukraine's membership may be jumping the gun. He emphasized the need for fulfilling certain other prerequisites such as achieving a stable democratic state among other issues.
In the context of Ukraine, Biden detailed a logical pathway for the country to meet the criteria for NATO membership. He reiterated his stance from the previous month, where he declared that he wouldn't make it any easier for Ukraine to gain membership; they must meet the necessary requirements. However, he did express optimism for Ukraine's future in NATO.
The president also clarified that the commitment to NATO implies a responsibility to safeguard each other. This means that admitting Ukraine, a nation currently at war, would effectively mean all NATO countries would be in conflict with Russia. However, he appeared hopeful for Sweden's prospects of NATO membership.
Lastly, Biden defended the U.S. decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, a move which has drawn criticism from human rights groups and certain congressional lawmakers due to the potential civilian harm these weapons could cause.
WOM Money Picks
Be a part of the winning team | 81% Success Rate.