This was bluster by Von Der Leyen and apparently even EU countries are not happy with her dropping this "associate member" bombshell [1]. The term does not mean anything, either.

So I guess the US are responding woth more bluster.

[1] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-capitals-mark-carney-ursu...

The Australian government recently came out and said they _may_ also side with Canada and also think about following suite in some form or another. Is that also going to be seen by Trump as an "act of aggression" (hostile act)?! Seriously?!

C'mon Trump! Get real! You're basically making everyone loath to like you as a leader or an individual. You can't possibly be this daft?!

In other words, Trump continues to elevate idiocracy beyond reason.

"No Russian leader could stand idly by in the face of steps toward NATO membership for Ukraine. That would be a hostile act toward Russia"

https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraines-future-in-nato-prec...

The White House sounds more and more like the Kremlin every day.