I don’t think anyone was expecting a vote to ratify Ukraine today, just a solid plan with a timeline. Everyone agrees Ukraine should join when the war ends, what is “the end” of the war; when Russia leaves, or after Russia stops launching attacks from its borders? What steps will Ukraine need to take at that point that it hasn’t already? How long will the process take? Is it more like Finland, more like Sweden, or more like…2014? I think those were the details Zelenskyy was looking for, and while Stoltenberg says one thing, Biden and Scholz say another, Sunak’s talking out of both corners of his mouth, the Baltics want Ukraine on their flank ASAP, Western Europe doesn’t want to provoke Putin still (I think China is running a lot of interference on their behalf diplomatically).
Ukraine is okay not receiving an invitation to join today, but they at least want a Save the Date and NATO can’t agree on a wedding date yet.
I don’t think anyone was expecting a vote to ratify Ukraine today, just a solid plan with a timeline. Everyone agrees Ukraine should join when the war ends, what is “the end” of the war; when Russia leaves, or after Russia stops launching attacks from its borders? What steps will Ukraine need to take at that point that it hasn’t already? How long will the process take? Is it more like Finland, more like Sweden, or more like…2014? I think those were the details Zelenskyy was looking for, and while Stoltenberg says one thing, Biden and Scholz say another, Sunak’s talking out of both corners of his mouth, the Baltics want Ukraine on their flank ASAP, Western Europe doesn’t want to provoke Putin still (I think China is running a lot of interference on their behalf diplomatically).
Ukraine is okay not receiving an invitation to join today, but they at least want a Save the Date and NATO can’t agree on a wedding date yet.