The NATO summit in Vilnius was marked by three significant events: a breakthrough, a consequential success, and a disappointment. The breakthrough occurred when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan finally agreed to Sweden’s membership. The success, which was the most important outcome of the summit, was the approval of over 4,000 pages of military plans for the defense of NATO countries. However, the disappointment was that Ukraine was not given a path to NATO membership.
The breakthrough made headlines as President Erdoğan had been blocking Sweden’s accession for months. He had demanded various conditions, including the extradition of alleged PKK activists and the lifting of the arms embargo on Turkey. Erdoğan also added another precondition on the eve of the summit, which was Turkey’s admission to the European Union. Fortunately, Erdoğan agreed to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s bargain, which included a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden and the delivery of F-16 fighter planes to Turkey.
The success in Vilnius was the adoption of comprehensive plans for defending NATO members’ territories. These plans, running 4,000 pages, allow NATO military commanders to assign specific obligations to different national forces. This arrangement strengthens the common defense capabilities of NATO allies and promotes a sharing of responsibilities between the United States and its European allies.
However, there was a disappointment at the summit. The United States and the United Kingdom failed to fully honor their commitment to ensure Ukraine’s security in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear arsenal. Ukraine has been advocating for a clear path to joining NATO, but President Biden stated that Ukraine wasn’t ready. This decision led to frustration from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticized the lack of gratitude from the Western allies.
Although NATO countries have provided support to Ukraine, it is important not to dismiss their concerns. President Biden’s hesitation to provide Ukraine with necessary weapons undermines the rhetoric of supporting Ukraine. While it is understandable to be cautious about direct involvement in the war, it is crucial to recognize Ukraine’s efforts and readiness for NATO membership.
The standards for NATO membership have always been subjective, and the geopolitical circumstances should have warranted a more optimistic prospect of eventual membership for Ukraine. It is crucial for the Biden administration to ensure that Ukraine is not left out and to fulfill the commitments made in 1994.
In conclusion, the NATO summit in Vilnius had significant developments, including a breakthrough with Turkey’s consent to Sweden’s membership, the adoption of comprehensive defense plans, and a disappointment in the lack of a path to NATO membership for Ukraine. It is essential for NATO countries to support Ukraine and fulfill their commitments to ensure its security and eventual membership.
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