Volodymyr Zelensky is not happy about how Ukraine is being handled by NATO. The war-time president lashed out at the alliance on Tuesday, decrying that he was left out of some meetings and that there is no timeline set to admit Ukraine into NATO.
(Also see: Zelensky Lectures Americans and You Probably Won’t Like It)
NATO’s refusal to set a timeline earned Zelensky’s ire.
“Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect,” he said. “But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine. And I would like to emphasize that this wording is about the invitation to become NATO member, not about Ukraine’s membership.”
I’ll admit, I cringed a bit reading that. I realize his country was invaded by Russia and that his counter-offensive has not gone as planned, but as a leader, part of diplomacy is maintaining a level head. That’s especially true when the other nations he’s attacking are paying his bills and funding his war effort.
Zelensky complains that “certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine” at the ongoing NATO summit in Lithuania. That makes sense, though, because Ukraine is not in NATO. The alliance obviously has the right to decide matters between member states. Zelensky seems to want to operate as part of NATO without actually being in NATO.
He continued from there, lashing out further.
“It’s unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership. While at the same time vague wording about “conditions” is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance.”
Do you know what else is unprecedented? The admission of a state into NATO that is in an active war with a nuclear power. If Ukraine were to be admitted tomorrow, all of NATO would be at war with Russia the moment Zelensky predictably makes an Article 5 declaration. There can be no timeline for Ukraine’s entry into NATO because doing that would basically ensure a world war. The conflict with Russia must end before an invitation can be extended. That’s not controversial, and for Zelensky to make a stink about that is astonishing.
Even more incredible, he continued by accusing NATO of aiding Russia’s campaign of terror.
“This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness.”
He’s correct that negotiations with Russia will be part of Ukraine’s entry into NATO. With the current flat-footing of the counter-offensive, what other alternative is there? There will be a negotiated settlement at some point because the idea that Ukraine is going to retake Crimea (the only way to meet Zelensky’s stated definition for the end of the war) is highly improbable. Part of that settlement will likely include security guarantees to Ukraine in the form of admitting the nation into NATO while Russia keeps some of the territory its held since 2014.
Lastly, Zelensky’s logic works both ways. By rushing to invite Ukraine into NATO, it incentivizes a continuation of the war on his part even if that’s not the right strategic move. Again, I sympathize with the man despite the accusations of corruption in his country that have turned so many conservatives off. Russia invaded and his people are fighting valiantly. That’s to be respected. Regardless, there are geopolitical realities that must also be respected, and Zelensky should show a little gratitude to the nations that have spent themselves into great debt to prop up his military instead of attacking them.
