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Biden says US will not make it easier for Ukraine to join NATO

17.06.2023 22:30
President Joe Biden said on Saturday the US administration will not 'make it easier' for Ukraine to join NATO.
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, in Washington, DC, USA, 15 June 2023.
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, in Washington, DC, USA, 15 June 2023.Photo: PAP/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Asked by a Polish Radio reporter about facilitating Ukraine's accession to NATO, Biden said: "No. Because they got to meet the same standards. So I’m not going to make it easier."

The US President added: "I think they’ve done everything relating to demonstrating the ability to coordinate militarily, but there’s a whole issue of: Is their system secure?  Is it non-corrupt?  Does it meet all the standards every other nation in NATO does?"

Joe Biden further conveyed a positive outlook on the matter of Ukrainian membership in NATO by saying: "I think they [Ukraine ed.] will. I think they can. But it’s not automatic."

On Friday, Poland’s lower house, the Sejm, adopted a resolution backing Ukraine’s bid to become a member of NATO, saying that such a move is "essential" both for Ukraine and "for European stability."

They added that the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, planned for mid-July, should be the venue for debate on the alliance's future.

(ał)

Source: IAR