More Patriots and 'irreversibility' of path to NATO: What Ukraine will get from summit in Washington
Photo: Ukraine at the NATO summit may receive additional Patriots (Getty Images)
The NATO summit in Washington, DC, which runs from July 9-11, will emphasize the "irreversibility" of Ukraine's path to the Alliance. Discussions will also focus on enhancing air defense capabilities, with Ukraine aiming to acquire ten Patriot systems by the end of 2024, according to informed sources cited by RBC-Ukraine.
According to the interlocutor, Ukraine can expect a number of positive decisions in Washington. In particular, the final communique of the summit will emphasize Ukraine's "irreversibility" on the path to NATO membership. This will be a step forward compared to the decision of the previous NATO summit in Vilnius.
The summit will also include a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden.
A meeting of leaders of states that have signed security agreements with Ukraine is also planned. "Decisions are expected regarding deepening cooperation and coordination between countries that have signed agreements to strengthen Ukraine's defense capability," said the interlocutor of RBC-Ukraine.
Additionally, discussions are underway to enhance Ukraine's air defense. The quantity and specific nomenclature will be announced during the summit. According to RBC-Ukraine, Kyiv would like to secure a specific commitment: allies should deliver ten Patriot systems by the end of the year.
There will also be an intensification of Ukraine's interaction with the Alliance, specifically through increased NATO presence in Ukraine and the creation of a new structure for coordinating assistance to Ukraine called the NATO Security Assistance and Training Support for Ukraine (NSATU).
NATO summit
From Tuesday, July 9, to Thursday, July 11, the NATO Summit will take place in Washington. At the summit, member countries of the Alliance will discuss the situation in Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic integration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also be present at the summit, having already arrived in Washington.
Earlier, he mentioned that he expects the summit to yield results regarding air defense.
