Donald Trump, at his first cabinet meeting, said he believed the US is negotiating “very successfully” with Russia and Ukraine.
The US president suggested that a ceasefire deal is close. “We’re going to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to stop killing people,” he told reporters.
Asked if he is willing to make security guarantees as part of the deal, Trump replied:
I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much … We’re going to have Europe do that, because Europe is the next door neighbour.
He added that the US will be partnering with Ukraine “in terms of rare earth.” “We very much need rare earth, they have great rare earth,” Trump said.
Trump said it was “great deal for Ukraine too, because they get us over there, we are going to be working over there”.
So why should anyone listen to what the US says anyway?
As for NATO membership in particular, all NATO members need to accept new members…
But the EU has a similar clause to help with military invasions, so the US support isn’t strictly needed for security.
And there is no provision to remove a more member from NATO.