- Nato pledges support for Ukraine’s future membership
- The alliance pledged support for Ukriane’s defence against Russia
- It committed €40bn in aid for the next year, including F-16 fighter jets and air defence support
- But there was no timeline issued on when Ukraine could join Nato
Nato pledges support for Ukraine’s future membership
NATO members have pledged strong support for Ukraine’s future membership and additional aid at the recent summit in Washington DC. While no timeline for Ukraine’s membership was set, the alliance’s 32 members affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia. They committed €40bn in aid for the next year, including F-16 fighter jets and air defence support.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that supporting Ukraine is in the security interest of the alliance. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the transfer of US-built F-16 jets to Ukraine, marking the first time Ukraine will receive these advanced aircraft, which are expected to be operational by summer.
NATO announced further integration with Ukraine’s military, setting up a new unit to coordinate aid and training for the Ukrainian army. The joint statement highlighted Ukraine’s progress on necessary reforms and stated that a formal membership invitation would come once conditions are met. Additionally, NATO accused China of enabling Russia’s war against Ukraine, prompting a strong response from Beijing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit, meeting with global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US politicians, to solidify cross-party support for Ukraine. Despite the strong show of support, Kyiv may be disappointed by the lack of a clear timeline for full NATO membership. The summit also comes ahead of the US election, with potential implications for future NATO support.
My message ahead of #NATOSummit:
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) July 10, 2024
1. Step up support to Ukraine’s path to victory and NATO membership.
2. Keep the Russian threat at the centre of NATO's priorities.
3. Prioritise NATO's defence and deterrence.
4. Boost our defence spending.
5. Deepen global partnerships. pic.twitter.com/OCIExfbRLd