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In a carefully worded statement, Nato leaders have expressed their readiness for Ukraine to join the military alliance. However, the lack of a firm timeframe has been criticized by Kyiv. The summit communiqué, agreed upon on Tuesday, pledges to extend an invitation to Ukraine when all conditions are met and allies agree. Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general, stated that this commitment would simplify the accession process, making Ukraine’s membership dependent on a single political decision.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine immediately voiced his dissatisfaction with Nato for negotiating the text without the presence of Kyiv. He stated that it appeared that there was no willingness to invite Ukraine to join Nato or grant it membership. Meanwhile, the G7 group of industrialized nations continues to negotiate a comprehensive package to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.
The Nato summit has been dominated by discussions on how to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the communiqué affirms that Ukraine’s future lies in Nato, no specific timeline for its accession is provided. US President Joe Biden expressed his support for the compromise text, acknowledging that Ukraine should have the opportunity to join Nato in the future.
Despite the compromise, Zelenskyy criticized the absence of a timeframe and the vagueness of Nato’s conditions for inviting Kyiv. The negotiations have revealed divisions within Nato, with some members cautious about implying that Ukraine’s membership is inevitable while others advocate for a clear invitation. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak affirmed that Ukraine belongs in Nato and called for progress towards that goal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, warned that expediting Ukraine’s admission into Nato could pose risks to European security.
The summit communiqué also acknowledges Ukraine’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration and states that the membership action plan is no longer necessary. It highlights Ukraine’s substantial reforms.
In 2008, Nato agreed that Ukraine “will become” a member, but no specific timeline or accession process was provided. All member states acknowledge that Ukraine cannot join the alliance while the war is ongoing, as it would trigger Nato’s mutual defense clause. The G7 is preparing to announce its own multilateral security agreement for Ukraine, allowing individual countries to offer military and financial support. The agreement aims to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russia, rebuilding its armed forces and economy, and meeting Nato’s membership standards.
Nato is also considering providing weapons to Ukraine to support its counteroffensive against Russia. France plans to send its long-range Scalp cruise missiles, while Germany announced a €700mn weapons package. Moreover, a coalition of 11 Western countries, including Denmark and the Netherlands, will commence training Ukrainian pilots in US-made F16 fighter jets.
It is worth noting that any potential donation of fighter jets to Ukraine would require approval from the United States. These negotiations are ongoing, and the agreement’s timeline may be subject to delay.
The discussions surrounding Ukraine’s membership aspirations and defense against Russian aggression have exposed divisions within Nato. The compromise reached attempts to streamline the accession process while addressing concerns about lowering the bar for entry.
Additional reporting by Anna Gross and Guy Chazan
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