“We are committed to supporting NATO’s open door policy, but how this happens is really a matter that is decided by 30 countries (NATO. -
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that vote, as well as a country that seeks (to join. -
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)”, - TASS quotes him.
Austin added that the United States is discussing with its allies the prospects for new assistance to Kyiv.
On September 30, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was applying to join the North Atlantic Alliance on an accelerated basis.
Immediately after that, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the admission of new countries to the alliance should follow the established procedure.
According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance intends to focus on helping Kyiv defend itself, and the decision on the membership of any state is made by all 30 allies unanimously.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the desire of the Kyiv authorities to join Ukraine to NATO is not the main issue now.