The call made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his video message early on Friday morning was powerful, but it is highly unlikely to be heeded. “I have asked 27 European leaders whether Ukraine
will be in NATO. I asked directly – everyone is afraid, no one is answering,” Zelenskyy is quoted as saying.

Ukraine had been an official NATO candidate country since 2014, but the country’s prospects for NATO membership were slim from the very beginning, as Russia has long openly opposed Ukraine’s membership and threatened retaliation if Ukraine were allowed to join the alliance.