Written By Lisa Murimi
NATO members have pledged support for an “irreversible path” to future membership for Ukraine and committed substantial aid.
While no formal timeline for joining the alliance was set at the Washington DC summit, the 32 members affirmed their “unwavering” support for Ukraine’s war effort.
NATO announced further integration with Ukraine’s military and committed €40bn ($43.3bn, £33.7bn) in aid for the next year, including F-16 fighter jets and air defense support. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that supporting Ukraine is in the alliance’s security interest.
The ongoing invasion of Ukraine was a top agenda item. A declaration stated that Russia “remains the most significant and direct threat” to security. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that US-built F-16 jets are being transferred to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands, with the jets expected to be operational this summer.
NATO members agreed to establish a new unit to coordinate military aid and training for Ukraine. The joint statement indicated that these measures, combined with aid commitments, form a bridge to Ukraine’s future NATO membership. However, a formal invitation will only be extended when “conditions are met.”
The summit also accused China of enabling Russia’s war against Ukraine, prompting a strong response from Beijing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit and met with world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who assured continued support for Ukraine’s war effort.
Despite hopes for a clear timeline for Ukraine’s NATO membership, the summit highlighted NATO’s united front and ongoing support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
