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WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden said in an interview that aired Sunday that Ukraine was not ready for membership in Nato and that it was “premature” to begin the process to allow Ukraine to join the alliance in the middle of a war. In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden said that he did not “think there is unanimity in Nato about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the Nato family now,” and that the process could take place only after a peace agreement with Russia was in place. “If the war is going on, then we’re all in war,” Biden said, referring to the alliance’s commitment to mutual defence. “We’re at war with Russia, if that were the case.” He added that there would be “other qualifications that need to be met, including democratisation,” for Ukraine to be considered for membership.
The president began a trip to Europe on Sunday that will include attending a Nato summit in Lithuania, where Russia’s war in Ukraine – and a decision last week by the US to supply Ukraine with weapons that are banned by most of its allies – will be a main focus.
Biden said in the interview that he had warned President Xi Jinping of China about growing too close to Russia. He added that after the Chinese leader met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, Biden spoke with Xi and reminded him that scores of US corporations had pulled out of Russia since the war began. “He didn’t argue,” Biden said. “And if you notice, he has not gone full-bore” on Russia.
Biden also defended his decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are outlawed by many of America’s closest allies. He said it was a difficult decision, but with artillery supplies dwindling, it was a choice between supplying the weapons or leaving Ukraine defenseless. “It was a very difficult decision on my part – and by the way, I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill,” Biden said. “The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.” Another topic of discussion at the Nato summit will be Sweden’s interest in joining the alliance. Biden said he was “optimistic” that Sweden was closer to entrance into the group, despite opposition by Turkiye President Erdogan.
The president began a trip to Europe on Sunday that will include attending a Nato summit in Lithuania, where Russia’s war in Ukraine – and a decision last week by the US to supply Ukraine with weapons that are banned by most of its allies – will be a main focus.
Biden said in the interview that he had warned President Xi Jinping of China about growing too close to Russia. He added that after the Chinese leader met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, Biden spoke with Xi and reminded him that scores of US corporations had pulled out of Russia since the war began. “He didn’t argue,” Biden said. “And if you notice, he has not gone full-bore” on Russia.
Biden also defended his decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are outlawed by many of America’s closest allies. He said it was a difficult decision, but with artillery supplies dwindling, it was a choice between supplying the weapons or leaving Ukraine defenseless. “It was a very difficult decision on my part – and by the way, I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill,” Biden said. “The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.” Another topic of discussion at the Nato summit will be Sweden’s interest in joining the alliance. Biden said he was “optimistic” that Sweden was closer to entrance into the group, despite opposition by Turkiye President Erdogan.
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