NATO leaders convened on Wednesday to inaugurate a significant new platform for engagement with Ukraine, signaling closer ties while providing only equivocal commitments to future membership. In the newly established NATO-Ukraine Council, the 31 member nations and Ukraine can hold consultations, organize emergency meetings, and foster cooperation.
This approach represents NATO’s attempt to bring Ukraine closer to the alliance without immediate accession. In their summit communique, the leaders stated that Ukraine can join when certain conditions are met and consensus is reached among the allies.
The outcome of these deliberations reflects the challenges of reaching agreement among current NATO members while the conflict with Russia persists. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment, despite appreciating the military assistance pledged by the Group of Seven industrial nations.
Zelenskyy emphasized his determination to secure Ukraine’s invitation to NATO once security conditions allow. He underscored the importance of unity among all parties involved.
The issue of Ukraine’s future membership sparked division and impassioned discussions during the summit. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo highlighted the delicate balancing act of supporting Ukraine while refraining from direct involvement in the war. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, whose country has a troubled history with Russia, expressed a desire for greater support for Ukraine but acknowledged the unity demonstrated among NATO members.
Zelenskyy has criticized NATO’s reluctance to set a clear timeline for Ukraine’s acceptance into the alliance as “unprecedented and absurd.” While Western countries continue to provide military assistance, Ukraine remains excluded from the security benefits offered by NATO membership.
Amanda Sloat, senior director of European affairs for the U.S. National Security Council, defended the decisions made at the summit, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the communique as a positive development. She clarified that Ukraine would not need to submit a membership action plan but would still be required to undertake governance and security sector reforms.
Support for Ukraine was visible throughout Vilnius, with flags adorning buildings and signs calling for urgent assistance from NATO leaders. However, caution prevailed within the summit, particularly from U.S. President Joe Biden, who believes Ukraine is not yet prepared to join NATO. Concerns remain regarding Ukraine’s democratic stability and deep-rooted corruption.
Defining an end to hostilities presents a significant challenge, as officials have refrained from specifying a clear objective. This ambiguity grants Russian President Vladimir Putin substantial influence over Ukraine’s potential NATO membership by prolonging the conflict.
The commitments made on Wednesday include a new G7 framework aimed at ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security. The British foreign ministry stated that this comprehensive long-term security arrangement, agreed upon by multiple countries, represents a significant step towards ending the war and deterring future attacks.
The commitments also aim to demonstrate to Russia that time is not in its favor. While international summits often follow a scripted narrative, this particular summit has seen a mix of conflict and compromise. The deadlock over Sweden’s NATO membership was unexpectedly resolved when Turkey withdrew its objections. The agreement garnered praise from leaders eager to showcase solidarity in Vilnius.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg hailed the summit as historic even before its commencement, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to publicly comment on the deal. Erdogan has shown eagerness to strengthen ties with U.S. President Joe Biden, seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path to European Union membership. The White House has expressed support for these aspirations but maintains that they are separate from Sweden’s NATO membership.