"Must Meet the Same Standards as Ukraine"
U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly stated that he has no plans to ease the conditions for Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to U.S. media reports.
On the 17th (local time), according to CNN, President Biden met with reporters before departing for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for his first campaign rally of the 2024 presidential election. When asked if he would ease the barriers to NATO membership, he replied, "No." He added, "Ukraine must meet the same standards, and I will not make those standards easier."
President Biden said, "I think Ukraine has done its best to demonstrate military cooperation capabilities, but there are issues regarding whether their systems are secure, free from corruption, and meet all the same standards as other NATO member countries." He stated, "I believe they will meet and can meet those standards, but it is not automatic."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hoping to have Ukraine's NATO membership timeline presented and to receive NATO security guarantees at the NATO summit to be held next month in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Previously, President Biden and his cabinet have been discussing Ukraine's NATO membership with other NATO member countries.
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