Trudeau Voices Support for Ukraine’s NATO Membership as Allies Weigh Country’s Admission

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (right) looks on as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a joint media availability at the Adazi Military base, July 10, 2023 in Adazi, Latvia. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will push for Ukraine to be admitted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a summit this week in Latvia where member countries will weigh the possibility of admitting Ukraine into the treaty organization.

“We feel very strongly that Ukraine should be joining NATO as soon as conditions allow,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters in Adazi, Latvia, on July 10 as he and Defence Minister Anita Anand prepare to meet with a number of allies during the NATO Leaders’ Summit this week.

Mr. Trudeau added that Ukraine’s admission to NATO is also supported by Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins and some of Canada’s other Baltic allies, but added that not all NATO allies favour the initiative.

“It is not as unanimous across NATO,” the prime minister told reporters.

“In other NATO member countries, this enthusiasm is not as strong as in Canada,” Mr. Trudeau later added in French. “But in general, our allies are very inclined for the future of Ukraine.”

He added that discussions between NATO members on the matter are “ongoing,” but also said he believes there will be “very good news to announce” about it on July 11.

Mr. Trudeau made similar comments while addressing Ukraine’s parliament in Kyiv in June.

“It must be Ukraine’s choice as to how it defends itself and its people,” Mr. Trudeau told Ukrainian parliamentarians on June 10. “That is why Canada supports increased cooperation with NATO through the NATO-Ukraine Council. And we will continue to support Ukraine becoming a NATO member as soon as conditions allow.”

However, NATO leaders have been divided over granting Ukraine membership in the alliance, with member countries like the United States and Germany previously voicing concerns that the move could spark a direct conflict between NATO and Russia.

NATO members in Eastern Europe have backed Ukraine’s entrance into the alliance.

“No final decision has been made but at the summit I am absolutely certain that we will have unity and a strong message on Ukraine,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during a news conference on July 10.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for Ukraine to be invited to join NATO during the leaders’ summit this week, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a Twitter post that the summit is “the best moment to offer clarity on the invitation to Ukraine to become [a] member.”

Reuters contributed to this report.