President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany have expressed reluctance to support Ukraine’s NATO membership, citing various reasons.
Kyiv – The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has openly named the United States, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany as countries that, for their own reasons, do not currently support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy described the stance of these nations as sincere but challenging for Ukraine’s aspirations.
“The United States, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany were sincere and they did not want to see us in NATO,” Zelenskyy said. “This is an open conversation, and I think there are no secrets here. These are the four countries that, for various reasons, have not yet seen Ukraine in NATO.”
The reasons for opposition remain undisclosed but are understood to vary widely among the named countries. Hungary’s strained relationship with Ukraine over minority rights issues, Germany’s historical caution in escalating NATO’s footprint near Russia, Slovakia’s domestic political dynamics, and the United States’ broader strategic calculations are all possible factors.
| Country | Potential Reasons for Opposition |
|---|---|
| United States | Broader strategic priorities and concerns over escalation |
| Hungary | Ongoing disputes over minority rights |
| Slovakia | Domestic political dynamics |
| Germany | Historical caution regarding NATO expansion |
The revelation comes amidst ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s security cooperation with its allies. The signed centennial agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom underscores a commitment to enhanced maritime security and consensus-building on NATO membership.
The British Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. While acknowledging the complexities of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, he emphasised the importance of continuing dialogue and practical cooperation between Ukraine and NATO members.
Ukraine has long sought NATO membership as a cornerstone of its national security strategy, especially in light of Russia’s continued aggression.
