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The mutual-defense alliance has been central to Ukraine’s war against Russia, but the future is uncertain with President Trump back in office.
Feb. 13, 2025, 12:07 p.m. ET
President Trump does not support NATO membership for Ukraine, Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, said on Wednesday, in a significant blow to the country’s hopes of eventually joining the mutual-defense alliance.
Ukraine has made membership in NATO a key strategic aim, based on the idea that the alliance’s blanket of protection would guard against future Russian aggression.
But even before this week’s events, membership in NATO was a distant dream for Ukraine. NATO countries have supported Ukraine with military aid, but have shown little appetite for taking on a new member that could potentially draw them into a direct war with Russia.
In his second term, Mr. Trump — who has questioned NATO’s relevance and even threatened to withdraw from the alliance — now appears to be moving even further from the idea that Ukraine could join the group in the future.
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