President Biden stated in a recent CNN interview that Ukraine's path to NATO membership is contingent upon the resolution of its conflict with Russia. He emphasized the lack of consensus within NATO regarding Ukraine's immediate inclusion while the war is ongoing. Biden highlighted the commitment of NATO members to defend every inch of alliance territory, underscoring the potential for broader conflict if Ukraine were admitted during wartime.

Despite the current roadblocks to NATO membership, Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to providing aid to Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion, noting the substantial financial contributions already made. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has actively pursued NATO membership since the invasion began, a move that would obligate the U.S. and its allies to directly engage in the conflict with Russia, a scenario Biden aims to prevent.

The United States has supplied Ukraine with a vast array of military support, including artillery shells, missile defense systems, intelligence sharing, and collaboration with Western allies to provide modern tanks. Furthermore, Biden has expressed support for supplying F-16 fighter jets, pending the necessary training of Ukrainian pilots, a process already in progress. This represents a shift from his earlier stance in January.

Russian President Vladimir Putin cited Ukraine's potential NATO membership as a key justification for his invasion. While NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has vocally supported Ukraine's eventual membership, he hasn't taken concrete steps to expedite the application process.