President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine met with President Biden and other NATO leaders on the second day of the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The meeting follows discussions about increased military aid for Ukraine, but a firm decision on membership remains elusive, causing tension. Zelenskyy emphasized his desire for a clear invitation when security conditions permit, seeking alignment among all parties.
While some NATO members support Ukraine's accession, others are hesitant, citing concerns about provoking Russia. President Biden has expressed reservations about Ukraine's readiness, pointing to issues of democratic stability and corruption. He also highlighted the implications of Article 5, which would obligate NATO members to defend Ukraine, potentially escalating the conflict with Russia.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding direct involvement in the war. He emphasized the need for any consensus to benefit all parties. Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, while acknowledging differing views on the pace of Ukraine's membership, underscored the unity of NATO's stance against Russia.
Zelenskyy expressed hope for Ukraine's acceptance into NATO and called for confidence in decisions that would benefit all Ukrainians. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced the formation of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a platform for consultation between NATO allies and Ukraine. This council serves as a temporary measure to address the varying perspectives on Ukraine's membership.
NATO leaders stated that Ukraine can join when allies agree and conditions are met, a statement that disappointed Zelenskyy, who called the lack of a specific timeframe "unprecedented and absurd." He criticized the ambiguity of the conditions and expressed concern that it could embolden Russia. Further commitments are expected, including a G7 framework for Ukraine's long-term security. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a supporter of Ukraine's membership, emphasized the importance of a clear path to membership, along with bilateral and multilateral agreements, as a signal to Russia and a step towards peace in Europe.
