Biden says likelihood of Ukraine joining NATO in near term is ‘not very likely’

U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian president had made two requests in recent conversations that Ukraine would never be part of NATO, and that there would not be strategic weapons stationed in Ukraine. He said on the first, it was “not very likely” Ukraine would be a part of NATO in the near future, but did not rule it out later. As for strategic weapons, he said they would increase troop presence in Poland or Romania if Putin “moves” in the area.

• Biden predicts Russia will ‘move in’ on Ukraine, test Western leaders