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July 11 (UPI) — NATO allies have approved a comprehensive plan to facilitate Ukraine’s membership in the military alliance. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his frustration with the lack of a specific timeline.
The NATO plan aims to support the transition of Ukraine’s armed forces from Soviet-era to NATO standards through a multi-year assistance program. It includes provisions for rebuilding Ukraine’s security and defense sector, such as providing fuel, demining equipment, and medical supplies.
“This plan offers a clear path for Ukraine’s membership in NATO and includes the most comprehensive defense plans since the end of the Cold War,” said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a statement.
NATO will continue evaluating Ukraine’s eligibility for membership and will extend an invitation when the allies reach an agreement and all conditions are met.
Zelensky, who has been leading Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion, criticized the communique on Twitter before its release, saying it was “unprecedented and absurd” to lack a timeframe for Ukraine’s invitation and membership.
Zelensky will meet with NATO leaders at the inaugural meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council to discuss further steps.
The plan also involves maintaining 300,000 troops on high readiness and ensuring adequate air and naval combat power.
In addition, NATO members have committed to investing a minimum of 2% of their GDP in defense. Many European allies and Canada have already increased their defense budgets substantially, with the number of allies meeting or exceeding the benchmark expected to grow in the future.
While Ukraine continues its counteroffensive against Russian forces, Zelensky believes that the lack of a commitment to NATO membership weakens Ukraine and motivates Russia to continue its aggression.
Despite supporting Ukraine’s NATO membership, Finland’s new Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen cited a provision in NATO’s founding treaty that prohibits countries at war from joining. President Joe Biden also stated that discussions about Ukraine joining NATO were premature.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently reached an agreement for Sweden to join NATO’s Grand National Assembly, expressed his belief that Ukraine deserves NATO membership.
The NATO summit, which included the decision to admit Sweden and discussions on Ukraine, was deemed historic by Stoltenberg. The leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine and providing military assistance.
Biden congratulated Erdogan during their meeting for the progress made in Sweden’s NATO membership bid, while also discussing defense, economic, and regional stability goals.
