The Trump administration is exploring a strategy to offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a veto on which nations can join NATO, according to reports.
The proposal would alter NATO's open-door policy, a core principle established in Article 10 of the alliance's founding treaty. That article allows any European state positioned to advance NATO's principles and contribute to North Atlantic security to be invited to join.
Such a move would grant Moscow direct influence over the sovereign defense choices of independent nations. NATO's current structure requires unanimous consent from all 32 existing member states for any new country to join—but without external veto power.
President Trump has previously expressed skepticism about NATO's burden-sharing, pushing European allies to increase defense spending.
Critics argue the veto would undermine NATO's collective security framework and embolden Russia. They contend that the alliance's expansion has historically served as a defensive measure against potential aggression.
Proponents within the administration suggest the concession could stabilize geopolitics by addressing Russia's long-standing concerns about perceived encirclement by Western military alliances.
Any formal change to NATO's accession process would require diplomatic agreement among all 32 member nations. While the United States holds a powerful position within the alliance, unilateral decisions on core tenets are rare.
