White House urges allies to support Ukraine's accession to NATO

The matter of Ukrainian membership in NATO is one of several issues leaders will tackle when they meet in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in mid-July. Also up for discussion are new defense spending commitments and a successor to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is planning on leaving his post in the autumn.

According to the publication, at past NATO summits, the allies have produced a joint declaration outlining their shared views. A failure to reach a consensus this year would be hugely consequential and would signal trouble for the unity of the alliance as the war in Ukraine continues.

Some allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe who are located closer to Ukraine and Russia, have advocated for a more concrete path for Kyiv to join the defensive alliance once the war ends. Other member countries, especially those in Western and Southern Europe, believe that accelerated integration of Ukraine could be too provocative and risky, even in the event of a cessation of hostilities.

Biden and his administration are inclined towards a position where Ukraine will eventually become a member of NATO.

The presence of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit in Vilnius will depend on the outcome of the negotiations between countries. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the leader said, "Unless we are acknowledged and given signal at NATO summit in Vilnius, there's no point Ukraine being there."

Vilnius summit

The NATO summit in Vilnius is scheduled for July 11-12. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said that Ukraine expects to receive a "clear membership roadmap" after the summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for clear security guarantees from the West, which will have to be documented on paper. The country desires security assurances from NATO until it becomes a full-fledged member of the Alliance.

Meanwhile, the United States may propose the Israeli model of security guarantees to Ukraine.