Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly expressed his strong disapproval of NATO's ongoing refusal to grant Ukraine membership, venting his frustration on social media.

While Ukraine is participating in the NATO summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week, Zelenskyy criticized the alliance's reluctance to offer a concrete timeline for his country's accession. In a tweet on Tuesday, he called the lack of a clear invitation or membership timeframe "unprecedented and absurd," particularly noting the "vague wording about ‘conditions’" attached to even a potential invitation. Zelenskyy argued this lack of respect not only undermines Ukraine but also emboldens Russia.

President Biden, in a recent CNN interview, reiterated his stance against admitting Ukraine into NATO while the war with Russia continues. He pointed to certain criteria Ukraine hasn't yet met, such as democratic reforms, while acknowledging a potential pathway for future membership without offering specifics.

Zelenskyy emphasized that NATO is "about respect" and that Ukraine deserves it. He warned that delaying Ukraine's inclusion creates an opportunity for negotiations with Russia that could use NATO membership as a bargaining chip, further incentivizing Russia's aggression.

World leaders, including Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have countered this argument, suggesting that Ukraine joining NATO during the conflict would escalate tensions with Russia rather than deter further aggression. Biden explained in his interview that admitting Ukraine now would obligate NATO to directly engage in the conflict, stating, "If the war is going on, then we’re all in war. We’re at war with Russia, if that were the case."

NATO recently welcomed Finland as its 31st member and has reached an agreement that paves the way for Sweden to become the 32nd.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, recently surpassed 500 days.