The comments from the Biden administration come when Ukraine calls on the US and Europe for an accelerated entry into NATO.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is committed to keeping NATO’s door open for countries that want to join once they are ready and able to meet the necessary commitments, the White House said.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday made comments to Air Force One reporters when asked about the administration’s position on Ukraine joining the defense alliance.
Jean-Pierre noted that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was currently in Kiev to assert Ukraine’s “support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.”
“His trip also emphasizes the importance of Ukraine passing key legislation to move forward, the rule of law, anti-corruption and economic reform that will strengthen Ukraine’s democracy and economy and foster Euro-Atlantic integration,” he said. to say.
“The Biden administration is committed to ensuring that the door to NATO remains open to aspirants when they are ready and able to meet commitments,” Jean-Pierre added.
Blinken told Kiev that Washington could increase security assistance to Ukraine after what he called Russia’s “reckless and aggressive” actions to mass troops near its border.
The US “makes clear our commitment to helping Ukraine defend itself with security assistance, with advice, other allies and partners do the same, and also makes it clear that, as happened after 2014, the international community is decidedly against any Russian aggression, reckless actions in Ukraine, ”Blinken told MSNBC on Thursday.
Blinken also said that Biden was eager to visit Ukraine and meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but did not give any details about Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO.
Biden pledged “an unshakable support”In Zelenskyy in April, while Kiev and Moscow blamed clashes in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, and Russia deployed troops and weapons at the border.
Moscow announced the withdrawal of his forces on April 22, which helped pave the way for a summit between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin that could take place as early as June.
Ukraine’s confrontation with Russia prompted Ukraine to ask the US and Europe to help speed up NATO entry.
