NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his support for Ukraine’s membership aspirations, stating that they would receive a “positive message” during the NATO summit. However, due to divisions among NATO members and Russia’s concerns about national security, there will not be a specific date or straightforward invitation issued to Ukraine. Despite this, Stoltenberg assured that Ukraine would receive increased military aid, security guarantees, relaxed conditions for membership, and a new form of cooperation with NATO through the NATO-Ukraine Council.
U.S. President Joe Biden also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the alliance and mentioned that the summit would send a positive signal regarding Ukraine’s membership bid. Negotiations were progressing well, with diplomats feeling optimistic about reaching a final agreement.
In addition to discussing Ukraine’s membership, the summit is set to approve NATO’s first comprehensive plans since the Cold War to defend against potential attacks from Russia. Russia, which has criticized the summit, warned of catastrophic consequences for Europe if the situation in Ukraine escalates.
While NATO members agree that Ukraine cannot join during the ongoing war, there are disagreements about the timeline and conditions for membership after the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been urging NATO for a clear path for Ukraine to join once the war is over, emphasizing that Ukrainian troops are acting as a barrier against Russian aggression in Europe.
Eastern European NATO members support Ukraine’s membership, believing it would deter Russia from future attacks. However, countries like the United States and Germany are more cautious, fearing that it could lead to a direct conflict with Russia and potentially escalate into a global war.
Czech President Petr Pavel highlighted the need for NATO allies to provide military aid promptly, pointing out Ukraine’s lack of air power and ammunition for its counteroffensive. Lithuania’s NATO ambassador stated that the summit would commit 500 million euros annually in non-lethal assistance to Ukraine, including medical supplies and de-mining. G7 security guarantees for Ukraine were expected to be announced after the NATO summit, with Norway also increasing its military aid to Kyiv.
On a separate note, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan agreed to forward Sweden’s bid for NATO membership to his parliament for ratification, signaling a breakthrough in the process. This came after months of opposition that strained relations within the bloc. Sweden’s decision to pursue NATO membership was prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
While Ukraine awaits a decision on their membership, Russia launched drone attacks on Odessa and the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue at the NATO summit.
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