US President Joe Biden believes that the issue of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) can be considered only after the end of the war with Russia.

Biden made such a statement in an interview with CNN on Friday, July 7.

At the same time, he emphasizes that the United States, before joining NATO, can provide Ukraine with the same security guarantees that Israel receives.

According to Biden, he “discussed in detail” with Volodymyr Zelensky the issue of Ukraine’s accession to NATO, in particular, the criteria that Kyiv must meet for this.

“Ukraine is not ready for NATO membership now, at the height of the war. There is no unanimity among the members of the alliance regarding the acceptance of Ukraine into NATO now,” he said.

“Ukraine needs to be offered a rational way to join NATO. And while Ukraine is not in NATO, the United States will provide it with the same security guarantees as Israel,” said Biden.

According to him, such security guarantees include the provision of military and financial assistance, as well as the possibility of joint production of weapons.

The US President adds that Ukraine can receive such security guarantees “if there is a ceasefire, if there is a peace agreement”.

At the same time, Biden emphasizes that the allies will continue to provide the Ukrainian defense forces with the weapons necessary to stop Russian aggression.

The US President has repeatedly declared an “open door” policy on Ukraine’s path to NATO and emphasized that the country must meet certain criteria for joining.

Previously, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that Ukraine needed security guarantees, but not as an alternative to membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, but only for a while until Ukraine becomes a member of NATO.

Zelensky also called on President Joe Biden to invite Ukraine to NATO during the NATO’s summit, which will be held on July 11-12 in Vilnius. Even under the condition that the country can become a member of the alliance only after the end of the war with Russia.