Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.

Ukraine's NATO accession cannot begin during war: Czech President

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Jun 2023 00:04
4 Min Read

The Czech President says Ukrainians understand that it is impossible to start the process of the country's accession to NATO amid the ongoing war.

  • x
  • NATO Ukraine
    Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva arrive for a press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, on January 28, 2023 (AFP)

Czech President Petr Pavel pointed out on Sunday that Ukraine's possible NATO accession process cannot begin while the country is involved in a military conflict.

"I do not think that the process of Ukraine's accession to NATO could have started while the conflict is still taking place. And the Ukrainians themselves understand that it is impossible," Pavel told the CNN Prima NEWS broadcaster.

Nonetheless, the Czech President considered that Kiev should receive guarantees that the start of the procedure will coincide as soon as the war ends.

"On the other hand, the Ukrainians should receive guarantees at the alliance's summit in Vilnius in July that as soon as the conflict ends, an intensive process of Ukraine's NATO accession will be launched," he stressed.

Pavel said that Kiev had "only one chance" for a successful spring offensive in 2023 because it was impossible to prepare another due to "objective reasons".

He considered that Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus should be considered a political signal and that the move could not be ignored.

A few weeks ago, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that Ukrainian troops launched an offensive in five sectors of the Donetsk direction on June 4 but failed to achieve their goals.

Pavel's statements echoed those of United States President Joe Biden, who stressed on Saturday that Ukraine is obligated to "meet the same standards" in order to join the NATO alliance, claiming that the US will not be making any special arrangements for Kiev.

On his part, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that the military alliance's officials hope to conduct the first session of a NATO-Ukraine Council with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius, Lithuania, next month.

Related News

Spain rebukes Trump’s NATO expulsion threat over defense spending

NATO launches annual nuclear drills amid rising tensions

According to Stoltenberg, the summit would provide Kiev with a more equitable place at the table "to consult and decide on security issues." 

However, the NATO chief noted that, while NATO will strengthen political connections with Ukraine during the summit, there will be no discussion of Kiev's membership.

Last week, Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the Ukrainian President, said 20 NATO member countries have supported Ukraine's membership in the US-led military alliance, pending the approval, if any, of the remaining states.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry had said NATO will provide Ukraine with a road map to join the military alliance during the upcoming Vilnius summit held by the alliance, but the Eastern European country will only be eligible one to two years after the end of the war.

US envoy to NATO Julianne Smith also told Politico that "a proper invitation" to Ukraine into NATO is "unlikely" as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing.

Nonetheless, Smith stated that the bloc still intended to convey a message to Kiev that it was committed to continuing to assist it in the long run, adding that NATO has an "array of options" to do so.

NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana revealed that there was currently no consensus within the alliance on Ukraine's entry into the bloc.

In September 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was applying to be fast-tracked to join NATO.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has previously pointed out that Moscow was closely monitoring the situation, recalling that Kiev's orientation toward the alliance was one of the reasons for the start of the war in Ukraine last year.

Read more: South Africa's Ramaphosa reveals 10-point peace initiative on Ukraine

  • Nato
  • Petr Pavel
  • Czech Republic
  • Kiev
  • Nato Alliance
  • Ukraine
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS