By Chris Megerian, Seung Min Kim, and Karl Ritter | Associated Press
In a significant development, NATO leaders have reached an agreement to allow Ukraine to join the alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met.” This comes after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized NATO’s failure to set a timetable for his country’s membership as “absurd.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced, “We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan.” He explained that this change in Ukraine’s membership path will make it a one-step process instead of the previous two-step process.
While NATO members have been providing support to Ukraine in terms of arms and ammunition, there is no consensus among the 31 allies regarding Ukraine’s admission into NATO. However, the alliance leaders have decided to eliminate obstacles in Ukraine’s membership path, allowing for a quicker accession once the conflict with Russia is resolved.
Zelenskyy strongly disagreed with this decision, describing it as unprecedented and absurd. He expressed his frustration on Twitter, stating, “It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance.” He pointed out the lack of a clear time frame for an invitation and criticized the vague wording regarding the conditions for Ukraine’s membership.
Addressing Zelenskyy’s concerns, Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of Ukraine winning the ongoing war with Russia. He stated, “Unless Ukraine prevails, there is no membership to be discussed at all.”
Zelenskyy’s criticism could potentially create tensions at the summit, which had seen positive developments with Turkey’s support for Sweden’s bid to join NATO. The aim is to find a resolution and establish a clear path forward for the alliance’s support to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy, who is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders, stressed the importance of respect and openly addressing the issue of uncertainty at the summit.
Disagreements within the alliance over Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO have been a major challenge. Despite the promise made in 2008, very few steps have been taken to facilitate Ukraine’s membership. While the Baltic states, including Lithuania, have advocated for strong support and a clear pathway for Ukraine, caution has been advised by the United States and Germany.
Biden, in particular, emphasized that Ukraine is not currently ready to join NATO, highlighting the need for democratization and addressing issues such as governance and corruption in Kyiv. Some also raise concerns that Ukraine’s membership could provoke Russia rather than act as a deterrent against aggression.
In concrete terms, NATO leaders have decided to implement multiyear programs to modernize Ukraine’s military equipment and methods to align with NATO standards. This will enhance interoperability between Ukraine and the alliance. A new NATO-Ukraine Council will also be launched to facilitate crisis talks if security is threatened.
To expedite Ukraine’s future membership, the requirement for a membership action plan has been removed. This program, known as MAP, typically includes tailored advice, assistance, and support for aspiring nations. Bosnia’s participation in a MAP is an example of its implementation.
When asked about the conditions for Ukraine joining NATO, Stoltenberg emphasized the need for modern defense and security institutions in Ukraine. He also mentioned the importance of strengthening governance standards and combating corruption.
While the dispute over Ukraine’s membership contrasts with the agreement to advance Sweden’s membership, it is considered a victory for Biden, who sees NATO’s expansion as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Finland has already joined NATO as its 31st member, and Sweden is next in line to become the 32nd member. This expansion represents a strategic development in Northern Europe.
The Kremlin has criticized NATO’s expansion, seeing it as a contributing factor to the current situation. Concerns have been raised about the potential risks and European security implications of fast-tracking Ukraine’s membership into NATO.
Erdogan met with Biden during the summit but did not comment publicly on the deal regarding Sweden’s membership. While Biden mentioned the agreement, Erdogan remained silent on the issue.
However, Erdogan did express his eagerness to strengthen his relationship with Biden and spoke of initiating a new process. He has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward EU membership, which the U.S. has shown support for but insists is unrelated to Sweden’s membership in NATO.
Biden’s European trip includes various engagements, with the NATO summit taking center stage. Prior to the summit, he met with the Lithuanian president to emphasize the commitment to transatlantic cooperation and received the highest Lithuanian award.
After the summit concludes, Biden will travel to Helsinki and celebrate Finland’s recent NATO entry. He will also engage with Nordic leaders during his visit.
Contributors to this report include Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller, Lisa Mascaro, and Darlene Superville in Washington, Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, and Lorne Cook in Vilnius, Lithuania.
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