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As pointed out in this Washington Post article, before joining NATO all applicant states are required to resolve their territorial conflicts. Given that Ukraine has a disputed territory (Crimea) since 2014, could Ukraine have even joined NATO as Mr. Putin claims?

I think this question was addressed partly from a slightly different angle at What, if any, reasons prevented Ukraine from joining NATO? too.

JJJ
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Schwarz Kugelblitz
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    What do you mean by "imminent"? Also, did Russia say that Ukrainian membership of NATO was imminent? – Allure Mar 21 '22 at 00:11
  • I don't quite understand Russia was correct on "what"? Please clearify. – r13 Mar 21 '22 at 00:17
  • Ok I think its better phrased as Russia believed that Ukraine was going to join NATO in the near future – Schwarz Kugelblitz Mar 21 '22 at 04:58
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    @SchwarzKugelblitz that doesn't seem like it clarifies the question. How near is near, and did Russia say that Ukraine is about to join NATO in the near future? – Allure Mar 21 '22 at 05:30
  • Technically, no. Practically, given how fast does Russian Duma accept pro-presidential laws, and MrP knowing that, he might assume the same could potentially happen on the other side, so either disputed territory would stop being an objection, or say Ukraine would cede Crimea and semi-instantly join NATO on the grounds it has no more disputed territories. – Vesper Mar 21 '22 at 09:19

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No, it was not imminent. I have followed the events in Ukraine closely and have not seen credible evidence of NATO meetings at which the vote was taken on Ukraine membership and that vote was close. This is a common sense interpretation of imminent. In the same sense as the rain with a probability of 90 percent is considered imminent.

REFERENCES:

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_37750.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/nato-ukraine.amp.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2%80%93NATO_relations

Timur Shtatland
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    Please post the evidence of such meetings and the results of the vote in the space provided below. I might have missed them, entirely possible… I am really hoping for an objective and friendly discussion! Please bring references as suggested by the [help]. TYIA. – Timur Shtatland Mar 21 '22 at 02:46