Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday (July 11) NATO's decision to simplify Ukraine's path to eventual membership, as well as commending new security guarantees and military aid for his country emerging from the alliance summit. Part of the simplification includes the alliance's move to drop the requirement for Kyiv to submit a formal membership action plan prior to joining as "an important step."
Member states also took individual steps to expedite Ukraine's membership once the war was over.
In a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania, the president said the results of the summit were "good" but an outright invitation to the alliance "would be ideal."
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We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023
Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.
But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that…
From 'Absurd' to 'An Important Step'
The remarks came after Zelensky tweeted a day earlier that it was "absurd" for NATO to not set a timetable for Ukrainian membership, as well as the condition that current members would agree and conditions were met.
On the other hand, Zelensky also commended new military aid packages from NATO member states as "very positive news." He also met with leaders of the alliance Wednesday without immediately providing details.
Other Ukrainian leaders also thanked Western backers for their ongoing support but suggested they do not fully understand the realities of war that Ukraine has been facing since Russia invaded their country in February last year.
NATO Member States Still Divided Over Ukraine's Application
Meanwhile, concerns about getting pulled into direct conflict with Russia have left some NATO countries reluctant in letting Ukraine too soon.
The alliance would need to make a consensus from all of its 31 countries, according to Atlantic Council Europe Center senior fellow Rachel Rizzo. "There's some question about the willingness of certain members to really grant Ukraine a clear pathway to NATO membership," she added.
On the other hand, Ukraine has other conditions to meet, such as the preparation of its military and defense operations.
This year's summit also highlights Sweden's accession into NATO, with the final hurdle being Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has since dropped its opposition against Stockholm.
