WATCH: Rand Paul Shreds Zelensky’s ‘Brazen’ Reaction To NATO Snub: ‘Not Very Grateful’

Senator Rand Paul criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s reaction to NATO’s “ambiguous” stance on Ukraine’s membership application during a Fox News interview this afternoon.

The Kentucky Republican responded to Zelensky’s criticism of NATO’s lack of a specific timeline for Ukraine’s potential membership. Zelensky had described the situation as “unprecedented and absurd,” expressing his frustration on Twitter.

Paul chided Zelensky’s stance, invoking the old English adage, “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” The Senator pointed out that the U.S. had already given Ukraine $100 billion in aid and found Zelensky’s demands for hastening NATO membership to be both audacious and ungrateful.

“I don’t agree with President Biden on a lot, but Biden is right. Were we to put them in NATO now…we would now have an active role in the war in Ukraine, more than just supplying arms, but actually sending troops,” said Paul.

WATCH:

Sen. Rand Paul on Zelensky's reaction to the lack of a timeline for NATO membership:

"We've given him $100 billion and he has the audacity to be so brazen as to tell us we'd better speed it up? … That's not very grateful for the $100 billion we've given him so far." pic.twitter.com/FvEtMFvZzc

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 11, 2023

It started on his way to the NATO summit when Zelensky expressed his frustration on Twitter regarding the alliance’s ambiguity about Ukraine’s potential membership.

In his tweet, Zelensky strongly criticized NATO’s handling of Ukraine’s application to join the alliance. He criticized a lack of timeline for either the invitation or an actual membership. Zelensky was especially irked by the vague “conditions” put forward by NATO for Ukraine’s possible membership.

NATO had recently stated that Ukraine may join the alliance “when conditions are met,” a statement that infuriated Zelensky, who described it as “unprecedented and absurd.” He was also concerned that the vagueness of the situation could open a window of opportunity for Russia to leverage Ukraine’s NATO membership in its negotiations.

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.
Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.

But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023

“Uncertainty is weakness,” Zelensky said, promising to openly discuss this issue at the summit. Zelensky’s strong remarks underscore Ukraine’s frustration with NATO’s approach to its membership request.

Ukraine sees NATO membership as a crucial deterrent against Russian aggression. However, the Senator’s comments add another voice to the ongoing debate regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership. As the situation continues to evolve, it is evident that Ukraine’s potential admission into NATO will remain a contentious issue.