---
title: "Vance: Ukraine should not join NATO and must stop attacks on Russian energy facilities"
description: "US Vice President JD Vance stated in an interview with 2WAY TONIGHT that Ukraine should not join NATO and called on Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities."
date: 2026-10-19T23:59:39.443Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/vance-ukraine-should-not-join-nato-energy-attacks
tags: [jd-vance, ukraine, nato, usa, energy, diplomacy]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Vance: Ukraine should not join NATO and must stop attacks on Russian energy facilities

![US Vice President JD Vance speaking at a conference with active hand gestures](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/19/vens-ukraina-ne-dolzhna-vstupat-v-nato-ataka-na-energoobekty/vens-ukraina-ne-dolzhna-vstupat-v-nato-ataka-na-energoobekty-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Vance stated that there is no formal alliance agreement between the US and Ukraine.
- In his opinion, Ukraine should not join NATO.
- He noted that cooperation will continue, but the parties' positions will diverge on a number of issues.
- Vance called for an end to attacks on Russian energy facilities, likely referring to oil refineries.

US Vice President JD Vance spoke about prospects for Ukraine in the North Atlantic Alliance during an interview with the 2WAY TONIGHT television program. According to him, Kyiv should not join NATO, and relations between Washington and Kyiv do not constitute a formal alliance. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a recording of the conversation.

### "Partner" and "Ally": How Vance Distinguishes Statuses

During the interview, the host asked Vance whether the concepts of a "partner country" and an "ally country" are identical or if they imply less close relations between states. Responding, the vice president emphasized that there is no formal alliance agreement between the US and Ukraine. "As far as I know, we do not have an official alliance agreement with Ukraine," he stated, thereby indicating that in his view, bilateral relations do not fall under the category of an alliance in the strict sense.

### Position on Ukraine's Accession to NATO

Continuing his answer, Vance spoke out directly against expanding the alliance to include Kyiv. "Ukraine is not in NATO. I don't think it should join NATO," the vice president stated. At the same time, he added that he considers Ukraine to be "a very admirable country, a wonderful country with many wonderful people," which, according to him, does not change his position regarding alliance membership.

### Cooperation and Divergence of Positions

Vance clarified that despite the lack of a formal alliance and his skepticism about NATO membership, interaction between the two countries will continue. "We will cooperate on some issues, but in some issues our positions will also diverge," he noted, effectively establishing a model of partial rather than full strategic rapprochement.

### Call to Stop Attacks on Energy Facilities

Also during the same interview, the US vice president stated that Ukraine must stop attacks on Russian energy facilities. According to RBC-Ukraine, this most likely referred to oil refineries. This statement became part of a broader set of remarks by Vance about the nature of Washington's relationship with Kyiv and which areas of cooperation he believes are priorities and which are not.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Украина не должна вступать в НАТО, - Вэнс](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-povinna-vstupati-nato-vens-1792454138.html) - RBC-Ukraine, referencing Vance's interview for 2WAY TONIGHT, reports his statements about the absence of a formal alliance, opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, partial cooperation, and a call to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

## FAQ

### What did Vance say about Ukraine joining NATO?

He stated that Ukraine is not in NATO and, in his opinion, should not join the alliance.

### Is there a formal alliance between the US and Ukraine, according to Vance?

No, he stated that the US does not have an official alliance agreement with Ukraine.

### Will cooperation continue, according to Vance?

Yes, he stated that the countries will cooperate on some issues, but their views will diverge on a number of positions.

### What else did Vance say in the interview?

He stated that Ukraine must stop attacks on Russian energy facilities, likely referring to oil refineries.