The expert explained what hinders Ukraine's accession to NATO

Western countries are trying to leave an opportunity for dialogue with Russia and are also afraid of the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine from the Kremlin's side.

That is why they are slowing down Ukraine's accession to NATO. This opinion in an interview with TSN.ua was expressed by Hanna Shelest, Security Studies Program Director of the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”.

"The fear of escalation on the part of the Russian Federation and the possibility of leaving at least some opportunity for dialogue... it runs as a red line through all the fears in almost every country, especially in Washington," she said. Shelest stated that the State Department and the Pentagon likely support Ukraine's accession to NATO, but the White House is against it.

"The Pentagon and the State Department rather support it, but the White House is the one currently holding it back, although theoretically they advocate for Ukraine's NATO membership... The fear of possible escalation is somehow prioritized... nuclear blackmail. However, in most cases, no one could clearly define what this ephemeral escalation entails compared to what we already have... These arguments are somewhat... irrational," Shelest stated.

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