NATO Offers Ukraine Military Support Against Russia but Postpones Membership Expansion

As the NATO summit concludes on Wednesday, leaders have expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with increased military assistance to counter Russia. However, the issue of granting Ukraine full membership remains unresolved, with only vague promises for the future.

According to a preliminary agreement, Ukraine may join NATO “when allies agree and conditions are met.” This ambiguous outcome reflects the difficulty in reaching a consensus among current alliance members while the conflict with Russia persists, leaving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dissatisfied.

While President Zelenskyy planned to attend the final day of the summit, he has been highly critical of NATO’s perceived reluctance to establish a clear timeline for Ukraine’s acceptance into the alliance, which he described as “absurd.”

The situation highlights the willingness of Western countries to provide weapons and support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, a role that NATO was designed for. However, the alliance is hesitant to grant Ukraine full membership and the accompanying security benefits.

During a speech in Vilnius on Tuesday, Zelenskyy expressed his “faith” in NATO but emphasized the need for that faith to transform into confidence in the decisions Ukraine deserves. He questioned whether this was too much to ask for, appealing to the soldiers, citizens, mothers, and children affected by the ongoing conflict.

Within the city, symbols of support for Ukraine are widespread, with blue-and-yellow flags adorning buildings and windows. Signs denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin and urging NATO leaders to expedite assistance for Ukraine can be seen as well.

However, caution prevails within the summit itself, particularly from U.S. President Joe Biden, who explicitly stated his belief that Ukraine is not yet ready to join NATO. Concerns regarding Ukraine’s unstable democracy and pervasive corruption contribute to the hesitation, as well as fears of triggering a broader conflict. Several leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, caution against admitting Ukraine into NATO during the ongoing war.

Article 5 of the NATO charter mandates that members defend each other against attack, potentially leading to direct confrontations between the U.S. and other nations against Russia. Consequently, determining an end to hostilities poses a significant challenge, with officials refraining from specifying the criteria. This lack of clarity allows Putin to exert influence over Ukraine’s NATO membership by prolonging the conflict.

The commitments made on Wednesday include a new “framework” from the Group of Seven nations, addressing Ukraine’s long-term security concerns. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry stated that the joint declaration by the G7 would outline how allies plan to support Ukraine in ending the war and deterring future attacks. This marks the first time that such a comprehensive, long-term security arrangement has been agreed upon with another country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added that support for Ukraine’s progress towards NATO membership, coupled with formal agreements and overwhelming support from NATO members, would send a strong message to President Putin and restore peace to Europe.

While international summits typically adhere to a rigid script, this one has fluctuated between conflict and compromise. Initially deadlocked over Sweden’s bid for NATO membership, leaders were relieved when Turkey unexpectedly dropped its objections on the eve of the summit’s commencement, leading to claims of success and unity in Vilnius.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg hailed the summit as historic even before its commencement, stating that “rumors of the death of NATO’s unity were greatly exaggerated.” Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, dismissed concerns about disunity within NATO and emphasized the agreement reached regarding Sweden’s membership.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not commented publicly on the agreement, even during his meeting with Biden, where the U.S. President acknowledged “the agreement you reached yesterday.” However, Erdogan expressed enthusiasm for developing his relationship with Biden, considering previous meetings as “mere warm-ups” and initiating a new process.

The Turkish President has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a pathway to European Union membership. While the White House has expressed support for both aspirations, it has clarified that Sweden’s NATO membership is not directly linked to these matters.

This report includes contributions from Liudas Dapkus, a writer for Big Big News.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NATO-Ukraine relations

More about NATO-Ukraine relations

• NATO Official Website: Official website of NATO providing information about its activities, member countries, and partnerships.
• Ukraine-NATO Relations: NATO’s official page on Ukraine-NATO relations, offering updates and details on cooperation.
• NATO Summit 2023: Official webpage dedicated to the NATO Summit, providing news and information about the summit proceedings.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Official website of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, featuring his speeches, statements, and updates on Ukraine’s international relations.
• Article 5 of the NATO Charter: NATO’s webpage explaining the significance and obligations outlined in Article 5 of the NATO Charter.
• G7 Official Website: Official website of the Group of Seven (G7), providing information on their declarations, meetings, and member countries.
• White House: The official website of the White House, providing updates on the U.S. President’s statements and foreign policy positions.
• Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Official website of the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, featuring his speeches, press releases, and diplomatic engagements.