Putin to announce annexation of Ukrainian land, Europe's largest since WWII
NBCDec 24, 2022
Day 220: US Cools Ukraine's NATO Aspirations, Sends $12B in Aid ;Russian Troops Withdraw From Lyman
Image copyright: Getty Images [via Newsweek]
The Facts
After Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he had taken the "decisive step" for the country to join the NATO military alliance on Friday, the US has – for now at least – thrown water on the idea.
In a video message announcing the move, Zelenskyy said: "De facto, we have already made our way to NATO. De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine – real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction." Addressing the issue at a White House press conference on Friday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said efforts to join NATO "should be taken up at a different time."
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Zelenskyy's bid to join NATO is nothing more than a provocation that won't bring anything to fruition. Due to the current situation, NATO's members will be hesitant to accept the bid, as it would result in a direct conflict between the alliance and Russia. This wasted retaliation in response to the reunification of Russian territories is likely to fall on deaf ears.
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine is the very thing that's pushing Kyiv straight into NATO's arms. While it remains to be seen whether all 30 members will welcome Ukraine, Zelenskyy's fast-track application takes a strong stance against Putin's illegitimate referenda and exposes that Putin is failing in one of his primary goals.
Metaculus Prediction
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