Zelenskyy asks Biden to invite Ukraine into NATO “now”— CNN

This is reported by CNN.

"Now,” Zelenskyy said in response to a question about why not wait for an invitation. “It’s very important,” CNN quotes Zelenskyy's interview, the full version of which has not yet been published.

According to Zelenskyy, it is the president of the United States who decides whether Ukraine will join NATO or not.

“We understand everything,” Zelenskyy said. “But this signal is really very important. And depends on Biden’s decision.”

Zelenskyy also noted that he understands that Ukraine will not be able to join the alliance while the war is ongoing — but the invitation will be a very important motivator for Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukraine joining NATO

A meeting of NATO countries will take place in Vilnius on July 11-12. Ukraine hopes for specific decisions about joining the Alliance. Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, Natalia Halibarenko, said on May 23 that Ukraine is preparing two cooperation packages - political and practical - to discuss at the upcoming NATO summit.

On May 30, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba outlined three key points that define Ukraine's vision for a successful outcome at the NATO summit in Vilnius. "Strengthen Ukraine-NATO institutional ties and assistance. Take a step toward UA membership. Provide security guarantees on Ukraine’s path to NATO." 

On June 10, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Volodymyr Havrylov, expressed his belief that the July NATO summit in Vilnius  will set the algorithm for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Ukraine will become a NATO member in the future, but due to the ongoing war, specific dates for accession cannot be determined. However, he is confident that during the Vilnius summit, the member countries will work towards finding a solution regarding Ukraine's progress.

On June 15, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for Ukraine's membership in NATO with 425 votes in favor. 

On June 16, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on NATO chief Stoltenberg to drop the Membership Action Plan (MAP) if Ukraine joins NATO.

US President Joe Biden expressed support for removing the MAP stage, making the joining process simpler for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's role in Europe's defense and called on allies to invite the country to NATO.

James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the UK, assured support for Ukraine's simplified entry into NATO.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has valid reasons to receive a political invitation to NATO at the Vilnius summit.

On June 28, during a speech in parliament on Constitution Day, President Zelenskyy proposed 5 points of the Ukrainian Doctrine, which stipulates that Ukraine's future lies in the EU and NATO, for discussion.

On June 30, US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said that NATO member states are close to a consensus on Ukraine's accession to NATO without the MAP.