NATO 'ignore's' Ukrainian request, according to FT

Senior officials have told the Financial Times that the bloc is wary of further escalating tensions with Russia. NATO members could offer Ukraine an additional €250 million ($273 million) a year in an effort to quell discontent about the lack of a specific timeframe for Kiev to join the US-led military bloc. Officials are concerned that offering Ukraine membership now may benefit Russia and escalate the conflict with its neighbor. The FT report comes ahead of a two-day summit of NATO foreign ministers which will discuss the doubling of aid through the Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, a NATO fund launched in 2016. Kiev has enshrined its intention to become part of the alliance in its constitution in 2019, and formally applied for membership last September. The Ukrainian government is aggrieved at the current situation, especially when compared to how its bid to join the EU was treated.