Ukraine set NATO membership invitation as the first condition for ending the war, but the German Chancellor rejected it.
On the evening of the 24th (local time), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on the ZDF current affairs program, "A country at war cannot become a NATO member," adding, "Everyone knows this and there is no disagreement." He also stated, "It is better to discuss security guarantees in the post-war situation," indicating that Ukraine's NATO membership invitation is not currently on the agenda.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented an invitation for NATO membership from member countries as the first item of the so-called 'Victory Plan.' The membership invitation is the first procedure required for NATO accession, and all 32 member countries must agree.
The political news outlet Politico recently reported, citing sources from the U.S. and NATO, that at least seven countries including the U.S., Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain oppose Ukraine's NATO membership. Many NATO member countries, including the U.S. and Germany, are concerned that starting Ukraine's NATO accession process could actually escalate the war.
On the 19th, U.S. President Joe Biden, after meeting with the leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France in Berlin, Germany, said regarding the approval of long-range weapons, "There is no agreement at this time." President Zelensky announced in a speech the day before that he would prepare economic, military, and intelligence measures to support the Victory Plan domestically by the end of the year.
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