Jens Stoltenberg addresses Ukraine’s Nato aspirations, with a cautious approach on membership during the ongoing conflict.

Nato’s Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has stated that Ukraine cannot join the alliance while Russia’s invasion is ongoing. Speaking at an event hosted by the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Brussels, Stoltenberg clarified, “To become a member in the midst of a war is not on the agenda,” adding that the issue would be addressed once the war comes to an end.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had submitted a bid for expedited Nato membership in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian regions last September. Despite strong support from Ukraine’s Eastern European allies, including Latvia, who have called for Ukraine’s rapid inclusion in Nato for lasting peace, Stoltenberg acknowledged the division within the alliance on how to proceed. He further noted that the alliance operates on a consensus-based decision-making process, and that consultations are ongoing ahead of the Vilnius summit in July. “No one can predict the outcome of the summit on this matter,” he said.

Stoltenberg reaffirmed Nato’s long-standing position that Ukraine will eventually become a member, though no specific timeline has been offered. He previously visited Kyiv in April, reiterating that Ukraine’s place in Nato is “rightful,” but again refrained from setting a clear path for accession. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had called for a definitive statement from Nato members to set out clear steps for membership, echoing Zelensky’s push for a clear roadmap.

Meanwhile, the US is investigating reports that its military vehicles were used in an incursion into Russian territory by anti-Putin militias, including the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC). The RVC’s leader, Denis Kapustin, confirmed his group’s involvement but denied any direct support from Western partners, although he did not disclose the source of the weapons. The White House has made it clear to Kyiv that it does not support the use of US-made military equipment outside Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on the growing involvement of Western countries in the conflict, while Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu vowed to respond harshly to any future cross-border raids. In a separate development, Russia and China have agreed to deepen their cooperation in various trade sectors, further solidifying their diplomatic ties amidst the ongoing war.