NATO has declared that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance one day but also said Kyiv cannot join while at war, as that could lead to a direct conflict between NATO and Russia. Alliance leaders have so far avoided a direct response to Zelenskiy's new push for an invitation.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said a formal invitation to join Nato is “the only way” Ukraine can survive Russia’s invasion, as the Ukrainian president urged western allies to endorse his plan to end the war.

Officials in US President Joe Biden's administration have stated that there is currently no consensus among NATO members to extend an invitation to Ukraine, though the US is pushing for its partners to demonstrate the same urgency and level of contributions in supporting Ukraine as the United States.