Ukraine outlines expectations from NATO Summit in Washington
Photo: Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
It is expected that the decisions of the allies at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington will consolidate the irreversibility of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic course, according to Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna.
"Our expectations in the context of Euro-Atlantic integration remain unchanged: membership. Formulations matter, although, of course, as a country fighting for its survival for the third year in a row, we prioritize concrete actions. That is why, together with our allies, we are preparing a package of decisions for the NATO Summit in Washington that will strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities," said Stefanishyna.
She also expressed gratitude to those allies who recognize the danger of any "verbal ambiguities regarding Ukraine's integration."
"The stable and unprecedented support of Ukrainian citizens for NATO membership cements the irreversibility of our Euro-Atlantic course. Ukraine will not be a gray zone; this is a matter of our survival. We hope that the allies' decisions at the summit will solidify this position," the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.
Ukraine's NATO membership
Joining NATO is one of Ukraine's primary strategic goals. This aspiration is based on the desire to ensure national security, stability, and economic development. Ukraine is implementing defense reforms, adapting its Armed Forces to NATO standards.
Since the onset of Russian aggression in 2014, support for the Euro-Atlantic course has increased among Ukrainian society and political leadership. NATO member countries express support for Ukraine, but the final decision on membership depends on the implementation of reforms and the consensus among Alliance members.
Upcoming NATO summits are expected to be significant milestones on the way to achieving this strategic goal.
From July 9 to 11, 2024, a NATO summit dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the organization will be held in Washington, D.C.
As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, Kyiv is already actively preparing for this event.
However, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has indicated that officially announcing the dates for Ukraine's membership at the Washington summit is not planned.
