Call for Ukraine’s NATO Membership Invitation

NATO should extend a formal invitation for membership to Ukraine as a crucial step in securing its future stability, stated Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas in an interview with Euronews. He emphasized that Russia must understand it cannot possess a ‘veto’ over the aspirations of other nations or dictate the future expansion of NATO.

“Lithuania has consistently supported Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership,” Kasčiūnas highlighted, asserting that allowing Russia to exert informal veto power over NATO’s enlargement would be a significant misstep. “It’s the biggest mistake,” he added emphatically.

His comments came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presentation of his Victory Plan to European Union leaders and NATO allies, which included a call for Ukraine to be invited to join NATO in the future. While Lithuania aligns with several other nations that view an invitation for Ukraine as both a morally justifiable and strategically sound decision, there are notable allies, including the United States, who may perceive such a move as a provocation to Russia. Additionally, countries like Hungary and Slovakia have openly opposed the proposal.

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During the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., held last July to commemorate the alliance’s 75th anniversary, Ukraine was informed that it was on an “irreversible bridge” toward membership, although this did not translate into a formal invitation. Kasčiūnas clarified that while an invitation to join NATO is a significant step, it does not equate to immediate membership, as Ukraine will require several years to achieve the necessary interoperability and standards of the alliance. Nonetheless, he argued that extending an invitation would send a powerful message to both Russia and Ukraine regarding the unwavering trajectory of Ukraine’s western alignment and its independent sovereignty.

“The Ukrainian nation, which is valiantly fighting for its independence and, by extension, for our collective security, deserves the right to self-determination,” he asserted. “An invitation is not membership, but it signifies a point of no return—an irreversibility. Therefore, I believe we can at least extend them an invitation.”

He further expressed frustration over the current stalemate, stating, “Just words about irreversible bridges, I’m afraid, are insufficient. We need decisive actions.” Kasčiūnas reinforced the notion that the current indecision is counterproductive, noting that Russia only responds to displays of strength.

He reminded audiences that the Baltic states, including Lithuania, had long called on the EU and the West to adopt a firmer stance against Russia, but their warnings often went unheeded. “We, the Baltics, have always advocated for providing more weapons to Ukraine as a means of deterrence. A robust Ukraine will deter Russian aggression,” he explained.

“We encountered numerous voices from our allies cautioning us that supplying weapons to Ukraine would escalate tensions. But we did not provide enough support, and now we are witnessing the consequences.” He concluded with a stark reminder: “Doing nothing is, in itself, escalatory.”