What Really Happened When Ukraine Tried to Join NATO?

Ukraine wanted this year’s 2023 NATO summit to end with a clear declaration that it will become an alliance member once the war ends, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is leaving Lithuania without that ultimate prize.

Ukraine has long aspired to join NATO, but the alliance is not about to offer an invitation, due in part to Ukraine's official corruption, shortcomings in its defense establishment, and its lack of control over its international borders.

Ukraine sought to join NATO at the Bucharest Summit in 2008, viewing it as a route to independence from Russian influence. 

The U.S. and several other NATO members supported the countries' membership, but Germany and France blocked the effort, arguing that Ukraine membership would outrage Russia. 

Membership with NATO would significantly increase Ukraine’s international military backing, allowing for NATO military action within Ukraine and alongside members of its military. 

However, Ukraine has not entered NATO essentially because of Russia's opposition to it and the conflict that its admission would cause.