12-7-2023 (VILNIUS) Nato leaders stated on Tuesday that Ukraine should eventually be allowed to join the alliance, but stopped short of offering Kyiv immediate membership, drawing ire from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The leaders convened for a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania as Ukrainian forces struggled to make substantial gains in a counteroffensive against the Russian invasion forces occupying parts of the country.
In a declaration, the leaders affirmed: “Ukraine’s future lies within Nato.”
However, they did not provide a timeline for Ukraine’s accession process, stating: “We will extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when all allies agree and necessary conditions are fulfilled,” without elaborating on said conditions.
Nato did remove the requirement for Ukraine to complete a Membership Action Plan (MAP), effectively clearing a barrier to Kyiv’s path into the alliance.
President @ZelenskyyUa speaks in the centre of Vilnius, where the NATO summit is taking place.
President of Lithuania @GitanasNauseda, his wife Diana Nausėdienė and Ukrainian First Lady @ZelenskaUA are also on stage.
“Today, here in Vilnius, there is a battle flag from… pic.twitter.com/Ps4WCzzrtM
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 11, 2023
Prior to the declaration’s release, Mr Zelenskyy had already criticized Nato leaders, stating: “It’s unprecedented and absurd to not set timeframes for both the invitation and Ukraine’s eventual membership.”
Addressing a rally in Vilnius, Mr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment that Ukraine did not receive an invitation to the military bloc, remarking: “Nato will make Ukraine safer, Ukraine will make Nato stronger.”
“I travelled here today believing in a decision, believing in partners, believing in a robust Nato,” he told thousands gathered, many waving Ukrainian flags.
“I would wish for this belief to become certainty – certainty in the decisions we all deserve and every soldier expects, every citizen, mother and child. Is this too big of an ask?”
The Nato position highlighted divisions among its 31 members regarding setting a date or straightforward invitation for Ukraine. Kyiv has pushed for swift entry and security guarantees since before Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
Eastern alliance members backed Kyiv’s calls, arguing bringing Ukraine under Nato’s umbrella is the optimal deterrent against future Russian aggression.
However, countries like the United States and Germany have been more cautious, wary of any move potentially dragging Nato into direct conflict with Russia.
The declaration affirmed: “We restate our unwavering solidarity with Ukraine’s government and people in their heroic defence of their nation, land and our shared values.”
It strongly condemned Moscow, stating: “The Russian Federation constitutes the most significant and direct threat to allies’ security and peace in the Euro-Atlantic region.”
When asked about Mr Zelenskyy’s criticism, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told media: “There has never been a stronger message from Nato, both politically regarding the path to membership and concrete support from allies.”
He stated past accessions were not accompanied by timelines, adding: “They are conditions-based, as they’ve always been.”
Mr Zelenskyy did secure other wins. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would begin supplying long-range cruise missiles, matching an earlier British pledge. These will enable Ukrainian forces to strike Russian assets far behind frontlines.
Germany announced €700 million in new aid, including two Patriot air defense systems, more tanks and armored vehicles.
The summit was also buoyed by Sweden likely joining Nato as its newest member after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unexpectedly dropped objections Monday, while seeking to revive EU accession talks for Turkey.
Moscow, citing Nato’s eastward expansion as a factor in its invasion decision, criticized the two-day summit ending Wednesday and warned Europe would first face “catastrophic consequences” should the conflict escalate.
“Potentially this issue (of Ukraine in Nato) is very dangerous for European security… those making the decision must be aware,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
European leaders seemingly did not grasp that shifting Nato military infrastructure near Russia’s borders was an error, he added.
At the Vilnius rally, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda handed Mr Zelenskyy a bullet-riddled Ukrainian flag flown on a tank during Bakhmut battles.
“Ukraine is buying us time with their blood, so we can prepare a strong response to Russia,” Mr Nausėda told the crowd.
On the central square of Vilnius, the President of Ukraine Zelensky raised the flag from Bakhmut.
“Ukraine is buying us time at the price of its blood, its lives, so that we can prepare to give a worthy rebuff to Russia,” the Lithuanian president said during a concert in support… pic.twitter.com/zYl2zwxwts
— Devana ???????? (@DevanaUkraine) July 11, 2023
