NATO leaders intend to invite Ukraine into the trans-Atlantic alliance after Kyiv regains control of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, amid an unfolding dispute about the alliance's ambiguous commitment to Ukraine's eventual membership.
“My understanding is that [conditions will be met] when it will be secure on our land, on our territory,” he told reporters Wednesday.Zelensky gestured towards that prospect one day after the alliance leaders unveiled a communique that offered a vague assurance that Ukraine would be invited “when Allies agree and conditions are met.” NATO officials hailed the document as “stronger than any” previous declaration, but Ukrainian leaders were not satisfied.
"We will each work with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements [toward] ensuring a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future," the G-7 announced."Other countries that wish to contribute to this effort to ensure a free, strong, independent, and sovereign Ukraine may join this Joint Declaration at any time.
Zelensky dismissed that line of argument, saying that Kyiv sought not immediate membership but a strong “signal” that it would be admitted at an appropriate time. “The message from this Summit and from NATO Allies, with new announcements of long-range cruise missiles, of more armored vehicles, with more advanced air defense systems, and training of the F-16 pilots, is that we support them to liberate land, so they will have a stronger hand at the negotiating table,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at his closing press conference. “That's what this is about. It's not about NATO negotiating on behalf of Ukraine.
“What should I tell my son — that President Biden and NATO didn't invite Ukraine to NATO because he's afraid of Russia?” Anti-Corruption Action Center executive director Daria Kaleniuk asked during Sullivan’s appearance at the NATO Public Forum. “Afraid of Russia losing? Afraid of Ukraine winning? Or, [perhaps] there are backchannel negotiations with [the] Kremlin, which is a terrorist organization ...
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