Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that Ukraine’s accession to NATO during its ongoing war with Russia might involve limitations on the application of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty across its entire territory. The comments were made during a press conference in Kyiv alongside European Council President António Costa.
Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine would never legally recognise the occupation of any of its territories by Russia, making it clear that NATO membership must include the entirety of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.
“It is unacceptable for an invitation to NATO to apply only to part of Ukraine’s territory. Such an invitation would implicitly acknowledge that other regions are not only under threat but no longer Ukrainian. Ukraine will never agree to such terms. If there is an invitation to join, it must encompass all territories,” Zelensky stated.
However, the president acknowledged the challenges of implementing Article 5, which ensures collective defence among NATO members, in the context of an active war.
“We understand that Article 5 cannot fully apply during a war to all of Ukraine’s territory, as member states are wary of being directly drawn into the conflict,” Zelensky explained.
Conditional NATO Membership
The Ukrainian president also noted that Kyiv has not received any formal proposals from its partners concerning the terms of its potential NATO membership. Despite this, recent remarks indicate a growing willingness from Kyiv to consider compromises. Earlier this week, Zelensky suggested that Ukraine might agree to a freeze of the conflict with Russia if NATO extended an invitation and provided security guarantees for areas under Kyiv’s control.
This represents a subtle shift in Ukraine’s stance. Previously, Ukrainian officials had stated that NATO membership could only occur once the conflict ended and within the country’s internationally recognised borders. The notion of joining NATO during wartime, with specific provisions, highlights the complexity of balancing Ukraine’s sovereignty with the alliance’s operational considerations.
Balancing Risk and Security
Zelensky’s comments underline the geopolitical challenges surrounding Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. The application of Article 5 is particularly contentious, as it obliges member states to consider an armed attack against one as an attack against all. NATO countries, especially those geographically distant from the conflict, have expressed concern about the risks of being drawn into direct confrontation with Russia.
At the same time, the Ukrainian leadership remains steadfast in its refusal to compromise on territorial integrity. While acknowledging the practicalities of the alliance’s defence mechanisms during wartime, Zelensky reaffirmed that any partial recognition of occupied territories is out of the question.
International Context
Zelensky’s remarks come as Ukraine continues to seek stronger international support amid its ongoing war with Russia. Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have previously expressed backing for Ukraine’s NATO membership but remain cautious about the timing and format of such a move.
European Council President António Costa, present at the press conference, reiterated the European Union’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but refrained from commenting directly on NATO-related matters.
The debate over Ukraine’s accession to NATO reflects broader concerns about the alliance’s ability to navigate complex security risks while maintaining unity among its members.
Image source: prezident.gov.ua
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