NATO Chief: Alliance Still Divided on Ukraine Membership

NATO members have not yet agreed on inviting Ukraine to join the military alliance, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday. Rutte, who recently took office, acknowledged that consensus among the 32 allies is still lacking. The Secretary General expressed his personal hope for a major diplomatic breakthrough before a key NATO summit. He aims for a full peace deal or a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine by July 2026, when allies will gather in Ankara, Turkey. Rutte stressed that any potential ceasefire must be stable and well-monitored. He stated that such an agreement would be a crucial first step toward a more permanent peace settlement, though significant challenges remain. The question of Ukraine's NATO membership remains one of the most difficult issues for the alliance. While all allies agree on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion, they disagree on the timing and conditions for offering a formal invitation to join.