Vilnius, Lithuania – In a highly anticipated diplomatic gathering, the first-ever meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council took place, symbolizing a significant nod of support towards Kyiv. The summit aimed to showcase international backing, and its attendees included a notable assemblage of world leaders rarely seen even at the prestigious Crimean platform. While NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg appeared elated, it was evident that Polish President Andrzej Duda and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did not share the same level of enthusiasm. The arrival of US President Joe Biden made a splash, and completing the circle of Anglo-Saxon leaders was British Prime Minister Sunak. Amidst the crowd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky entered the hall with an air of urgency, swiftly locating Biden and extending a prolonged handshake—a gesture laden with gratitude.
“At this summit, we have reaffirmed Ukraine’s path to becoming a member of the NATO alliance and have made decisions aimed at further integrating Ukraine with NATO. Today, we convene as equals, but I eagerly anticipate the day when we meet as allies,” remarked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, highlighting the significance of the meeting.
Following the summit, Zelensky held a separate meeting with President Biden, during which he donned a tie in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Biden expressed his continued support for Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO, a stance that contrasted with his previous public remarks. The discussions also touched upon the sensitive topic of supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine.
“We appreciate your unwavering commitment, and here’s the bad news for you—we will not back down. You are with us,” unexpectedly declared President Biden.
According to The Washington Post, tensions arose the day before the summit when Zelensky insisted on including language favorable to Ukraine in the final communiqué. Consequently, there was no explicit invitation extended to Ukraine by NATO. Furthermore, the cancellation of the so-called membership action plan, a roadmap for joining the organization, was seen by some as a setback for Kyiv. Without a clear understanding of the steps required for membership, it becomes challenging to demonstrate compliance with the necessary criteria.
The underlying divisions that surfaced during the summit underscored Zelensky’s perceived isolation, as he found himself standing alone in the group photo. Despite asserting that he considers the summit’s outcomes positive, Zelensky’s disappointment was evident during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, where he exhibited a restrained approach during the customary photograph.
Shortly after, members of the British delegation followed suit, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov hurrying to join them. Abruptly, they were called away from the conference room. Rishi Sunak, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, sought a face-to-face conversation with Zelensky.
“Glad to see you here in NATO, of which you are a part. We will make tangible progress on this matter,” Sunak expressed.
Recent reports reveal that the G7 countries have reached a consensus on the general principles of security guarantees for Ukraine during talks in Vilnius. These guarantees encompass aspects such as arms supply, military personnel training, and intelligence sharing.
However, the Russian Federation’s perspective differs significantly, with Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, emphasizing the potential negative consequences of providing security guarantees to Ukraine. Peskov argues that such measures encroach upon Russia’s security and violate the principle of security indivisibility.
Nonetheless, Ukraine rejects viewing these security guarantees as a substitute for NATO membership, with Zelensky asserting that Ukraine plays a pivotal role in European security. During a press conference, Zelensky took the opportunity to interject when Stoltenberg was questioned about the transfer of aviation assets to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace recounted his visit to Kyiv, expressing the view that Zelensky should demonstrate greater appreciation for Western assistance.
“You know, we are not Amazon. I made this clear last year when I spent 11 hours obtaining a list of necessary arms supplies,” Wallace commented.
However, this did not impede the United Kingdom from announcing a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine. The UK will allocate £50 million for equipment repairs and transfer over 70 combat vehicles, along with a substantial quantity of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks.
While the results of the much-anticipated counter-offensive remain elusive, Kyiv’s objectives to breach defenses in the Zaporozhye region and reach the borders of Crimea have yet to be realized. The road ahead presents both progress and challenges as Ukraine strives to secure its position on the global stage and navigate the complexities of its relationship with NATO.
