Blow to Zelensky As NATO Shows No Sign of Endorsing Ukraine Membership [Video]

NATO showed no sign on Wednesday of inviting Ukraine to join the alliance soon, as members sought more details from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about his “victory plan” to end the war with Russia.

The plan involves Ukraine’s request for NATO to advance its “accelerated” membership application, submitted two years ago following Russia’s invasion in an attempt to gain protection under NATO’s collective security guarantee.

That guarantee, Article 5, ensures that all 32 NATO members will defend any member under attack, but Ukraine, as a partner, does not qualify at present.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte refrained from endorsing Zelensky’s “victory plan,” stating only that he and allies did “take note” of it. He avoided discussing when Ukraine might join but said Ukraine would eventually become a member.