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Vibe Check: ‘Ukraine Cannot Become a Member of NATO’ Amid Conflict, EU Commissioner Says

© Pietro Naj-OleariThe Internal Market and the Industry committees questioned Thierry Breton, candidate for the Internal Market portfolio, November 15, 2019
The Internal Market and the Industry committees questioned Thierry Breton, candidate for the Internal Market portfolio, November 15, 2019 - Sputnik International, 1920, 28.08.2023
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In recent comments on French media, a top European Union official reaffirmed that Ukraine will be unable to join the NATO alliance, as it has long sought to do, while it remains in conflict with Russia.
“As long as the conflict continues on European territory, Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO,” Thierry Breton, the EU’s commissioner for internal market, said on Monday.
“Otherwise, under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, this will mean entry into the conflict of all of the countries in the alliance,” he added.
Article 5 is the line in the organization’s founding charter that provides for collective defense of all members: triggering Article 5 means all 31 members of the alliance will come to the defense of their fellow member under attack. It has only been invoked once, by the United States following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks carried out by the Al-Qaeda* terrorist network.
Breton added that Ukraine “understands” this, despite Kiev’s recent outbursts criticizing the alliance for being indecisive and slow to act.
NATO flag fluttering in the wind in the arcades of the Cinquantenaire in Brussels - Sputnik International, 1920, 04.08.2023
Analysis
Ukraine Will Never Get NATO Membership, Only US Support as 'Anti-Russian Hedgehog'
Indeed, NATO and several key member states have repeatedly reiterated that serious changes have to happen in Ukraine before it will be considered for admission into NATO - as its constitution now enshrines as a goal - or to the European Union.
Although the EU is not an alliance, the politico-economic bloc maintains standards for membership similar to NATO, including functioning democratic systems, efforts to curb corruption and graft, and a lack of internal conflict inside its borders.

Instead, Washington has reportedly increasingly floated the idea of an Israel-like arrangement with Kiev, providing it with the first pick of advanced new US-made weaponry and extensive bilateral training and industrial cooperation in the military field, but stopping short of a written collective security arrangement.

Despite a consciousness about the risks of open war with Russia if Ukraine were made into a formal ally, the NATO powers have continued to funnel weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, effectively turning them into a proxy force for fighting Russia.
*Al-Qaeda, (also al-Nusra Front, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries.
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