Russia’s brandishing nuclear weapons holds back the US from accepting Ukraine into NATO, - Amb. John Herbst

Amb. John Herbst, Director of Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council, United States Ambassador to Ukraine in 2003-06, believes that the US administration policies vis-à-vis all challenges, especially security ones, in Russia’s war against Ukraine was absolutely adequate, sufficient, and rather modest at the same time.

He emphasized these ideas at the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

“It seems that the Administration is really intimidated by Russia’s constant threats to use weapons of mass destruction. This seems to affect the US standpoint on Ukraine’s membership in NATO,” the Ambassador noted.

According to Amb. John Herbst, at the Vilnius Summit, it will hardly probable to hear out the bold voice of the USA about Ukraine’s membership prospects in the Alliance.

“The best way to ensure a good result for Ukraine in Vilnius is to engage with Poland and the Baltic states, and potentially with the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands on these matters. Naturally, we expect the British to support this idea,” he said.

Noteworthy, the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum “For Our and Your Freedom/ Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be formed and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.