2023-07-12 10:07:48
►Zelensky “confident” about Ukraine’s NATO membership “after the war”
Volodymyr Zelensky announced to be “ confident in the fact that Ukraine will be a member of NATO ” after the war “. The Ukrainian President on Wednesday July 12 welcomed the forthcoming announcement of “security guarantees” from the G7 countries while emphasizing that they could not replace future membership of NATO.
“Security guarantees are very important for the Ukrainian people, but they are guarantees for Ukraine towards NATO membership” and no “instead of (joining) NATO”he hammered during a joint press conference in Vilnius with the Secretary General of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg.
►A plan of long-term commitments to support Ukraine
The West will present a plan of long-term commitments for Ukraine’s security on Wednesday, on the second day of a NATO summit which dashed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hopes of obtaining a precise timetable for the accession of his country to the Alliance.
The Ukrainian leader will hold talks with the leaders on Wednesday. In an attempt to reassure him, the G7 countries (Germany, Canada, United States, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom) should issue a joint statement on support for Kiev in the years to come, in order to help him to fight Russia and counter future aggression.
In order to convince Volodymyr Zelensky that his country is getting closer to the Alliance, a first meeting of a Ukraine-NATO council will take place in Vilnius on Wednesday. Later, the US president will also deliver a speech at Vilnius University, in which he will outline Washington’s commitment to defending every square inch of NATO territory.
►G7 guarantees to Ukraine would “undermine” Russia’s security
Ukraine’s security engagement plan would undermine Russia’s security, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. “By offering these security guarantees to Ukraine, these countries are undermining Russia’s security”said the spokesman of the Russian presidency, Dmitry Peskov, adding that these guarantees will make Europe “much more dangerous for years and years”.
Similarly, the Kremlin has announced that it is taking “countermeasures” if Ukraine uses cluster munitions which the United States has promised to deliver to kyiv, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
►Long-term Ukraine aid plan shows ‘time is not on the side’ for Russia
The plan of long-term security commitments for Ukraine that the West will adopt on Wednesday will show Russia that the “time is not on his side”said a senior US official.
“This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side”White House adviser for European affairs Amanda Sloat told reporters.
►Norway will provide drones and air defense elements
Ultra-light drones, elements of ground-to-air systems, military rations… Norway specified on Wednesday the nature of the additional military aid it plans to provide in 2023 to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the Norwegian government announced an acceleration of its military support for the Ukrainian army in the face of the Russian invasion, drawing from this year an additional 2.5 billion crowns (around 220 million euros) from the multi-annual envelope. provided for this purpose.
►Ukraine claims to have downed 11 Russian drones in second night of attacks
Ukraine claimed on Wednesday to have shot down 11 Russian drones over the capital Kiev during a second consecutive night of attacks, in the middle of the NATO summit in Vilnius where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to be received by leaders of the Alliance.
“A total of 15 explosive drones were involved in the strikes. Eleven of them were destroyed”said the Ukrainian Air Force on a social network.
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