Ukraine formally applied to join NATO Friday, but the alliance is likely to react cautiously to avoid provoking a full-blown conflict with Russia since members are pledged to come to each other’s defense.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the accelerated bid in a video address to the nation, saying Ukraine has already made its “path towards NATO,” demonstrating “compatibility with the alliance’s standards,” he said.
“We trust each other, help each other and protect each other,” he said. “We know it is possible.”
