Vance Says Ukraine Should Not Join NATO

US Vice President JD Vance said Ukraine should not join NATO, in an interview with 2WAY TONIGHT reported on Oct. 20.

"As far as I know, we have no official alliance agreement with Ukraine. Ukraine is not in NATO. I don't think it should join NATO," Vance said.

I think it is a country that is very admirable, a wonderful country with a lot of great people. We will cooperate on some issues, but on some issues our positions will diverge.

Vance also said Ukraine "must stop attacks on Russian energy facilities."

Backdrop: a public dispute with Washington

The remarks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused US President Donald Trump of trying to pressure Ukraine into capitulating to Russia and of delaying deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. Trump, in turn, accused Zelensky of never having wanted to end Russia's war against Ukraine.