Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Rubio Says Ukraine NATO Membership Is Not on Table Now
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said Ukraine joining NATO is not being considered right now.
He said the United States is focusing on trying to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Rubio said the fighting is not currently showing signs of moving toward an end.
He also said the United States wants to help constructively if it can.
Rubio made these comments while meeting Iceland's foreign minister in Reykjavik.
He said Iceland's location matters for the safety of Europe and the United States.
He also pointed to security concerns in the Arctic, including threats to cables under the sea and shipping routes.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ukraine's NATO membership is not currently on the table.
Rubio said Washington is focused on ending the war with Russia and would play a constructive role if it can.
He said the conflict's current trend lines do not suggest the fighting is moving toward an end.
Rubio made the remarks during a joint media appearance with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir in Reykjavik.
He described Iceland as strategically important and cited Arctic security concerns including covert activity, undersea cables, and shipping lanes.
- Who
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir.
- What
- Rubio said Ukraine's NATO membership is not currently on the table and that the U.S. is focused on ending the war with Russia.
- When
- At a joint media availability; no date was stated.
- Where
- Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Why
- Rubio said the immediate U.S. priority is trying to end the conflict, while noting that current trends are not moving toward an end to the fighting.
Current U.S. priority
Ukraine's NATO membership
Focus of policy
Current U.S. priority
Rubio said the immediate focus is ending the conflict and that the U.S. would seek a constructive role if it can help.
Ukraine's NATO membership
Rubio said Ukraine's NATO membership is not currently on the table and noted that consensus and unanimity are required.
- U.S. official
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Ukraine and NATO
- Rubio said membership is not on the table at present.
- U.S. priority
- Trying to bring the war with Russia to an end.
- Meeting
- Joint media availability with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir.
- Location
- Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Arctic security concerns
- Rubio cited covert activity, threats to undersea cables and shipping lanes, and economic and commercial challenges with national security implications.
- Iceland's significance
- Rubio said Iceland's geography is important to European and U.S. defense.