Title: Ukraine Receives Security Assurances at NATO Summit Amid Calls for Membership
VILNIUS – The recent NATO summit in Vilnius saw Ukraine being offered new security assurances from global allies, aimed at safeguarding the country from future attacks as it continues its pursuit of NATO membership. The announcement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his disappointment over NATO’s refusal to provide a timetable or invitation for Ukraine’s entry into the alliance.
Despite the absence of a membership timetable, Zelenskiy welcomed the outcome of the summit as “good overall” and expressed gratitude for the numerous announcements of new military aid from allies. He did, however, emphasize the need for more support and stressed Ukraine’s requirement for long-range weapons during a meeting with US President Joe Biden.
The G7, consisting of the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy, and Britain, released a joint declaration outlining their commitment to supporting Ukraine in ending the ongoing war and deterring potential future attacks. This commitment is expected to materialize through bilateral agreements featuring long-term military and financial aid.
Meanwhile, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan assured that President Biden would engage in a direct and honest conversation with Zelenskiy regarding NATO’s decision on membership. Sullivan acknowledged Zelenskiy’s strong views on the matter and emphasized Biden’s straightforward and candid approach.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg echoed Zelenskiy’s sentiments, stating that Ukraine was closer to the alliance than ever before. Stoltenberg dismissed warnings from Russia and stressed that Ukraine has the right to choose its own path. He further emphasized the need for credible security assurances to deter Russia from future attacks.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asserted that the security arrangements being offered to Ukraine were not meant to act as a substitute for full NATO membership. Sunak’s remarks come as Ukraine seeks more arms from allies, with Zelenskiy engaging in bilateral meetings with the United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, Japan, and the Netherlands to secure further military support.
The summit also marked the first sitting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Kyiv and the 31-nation alliance. NATO, originally established in 1949 to defend its allies against Soviet Union attacks, suspended its engagement with Russia following its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for eastern Ukrainian rebels.
While some countries prefer a cautious approach due to fears of direct conflict with Russia, others advocate for Ukraine’s swift accession to NATO. Amidst differing opinions, the recent summit has provided Ukraine with much-needed security assurances, paving the way for increased cooperation and support from global allies.
As the situation evolves and Ukraine continues to confront the challenges posed by Russia, the international community remains committed to assisting in the country’s pursuit of stability and security.
By Andrew (Reuters)
(Reporting by John Irish, Steve Holland, Justyna Pawlak, Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray, Max Hunder, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska and Matthias Williams; Editing by Alex Richardson)
(Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles)