Why isn't Ukraine a NATO ally? We would be in a much better position to stop Russia if it were.

[MoonRiver]

[brooklynite]

1. One of the requirements of NATO entry is that the state does not have unresolved military conflicts

Sort of the equivalent of a pre-existing medical condition when you buy insurance.

[MoonRiver]

3. Even if the unresolved military conflict is not of the nation's choosing, i.e. it is under assault?

That's sooooo unfair.

[brooklynite]

6. Yes.

That would immediately obligate other NATO States to engage militarily. The issue is not Russia's threat to invade today; its that Russia has already occupied the Crimea.

[maxsolomon]

13. The "Separatist" conflict in the Donetsk precedes Crimea IIRC

The "no unresolved conflicts" rule would explain Russia's intent there.

[Liberal In Texas]

2. IIRC They would need to ask to become a member.

And so far they haven't done that.

[MoonRiver]

4. I wonder why they haven't. Fear of Russia perhaps?

[MaryMagdaline]

5. They have a significant ethnic Russian population.

A request to join NATO might trigger a civil war or Russian invasion.

[Wicked Blue]

11. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuasnia have significant Russian populations

but are NATO members

[Tomconroy]

7. If it were a NATO member we would be obligated to go to war

If there were to be a Russian invasion.

[MoonRiver]

8. Not just US. That's my point actually.

[Tomconroy]

10. I wouldn't count on much from other NATO members. Not

ready for Americans dying over the Ukraine.

[Klaralven]

9. New members have to be unanimously approved by all 30 existing members

[PortTack]

12. This ....and it is being blocked

[moondust]

15. Orban

Hungarian autocrat is pals with Putin, met with him a week ago, wants more cheap Russian gas, calls Russian demands reasonable. May have made a deal with Putin to veto Ukraine NATO membership in exchange for cheap gas and political support.

[Bev54]

14. Let's not forget previous governments of Ukraine have often been very corrupt

NATO needs to see a stable government not beholden to Oligarchs. While this government is trying, it is still too new and has not been able to get all the corruption cleaned up.