NATO Leader Fails to Provide Timetable for Ukraine Membership, Angering President Zelenskiy
Vilnius, Lithuania – The NATO leader’s failure to extend an immediate invitation to Ukraine to join the military alliance, or provide a specific timetable for its membership, has caused frustration and anger for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The leaders of NATO’s 31 member states convened in Vilnius for a two-day summit, coinciding with Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian forces occupying parts of the country.
While NATO leaders stated that “the future of Ukraine is with NATO,” they did not offer a clear timeline for Ukraine’s accession. However, NATO did remove the requirement for Ukraine to fulfill its membership action plan, clearing a major obstacle for Ukraine’s participation in the military alliance.
Zelenskiy’s disappointment in NATO’s decision was evident prior to the summit. Taking to Twitter, he criticized the absence of a firm timetable, describing it as unprecedented and absurd. The Ukrainian president had hoped for an immediate invitation to join NATO, even if it depended on the end of the ongoing conflict.
An Al Jazeera reporter at the summit highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Ukraine’s membership. Although NATO’s support for Ukraine was reaffirmed, the specific conditions and timeline for their accession remained unclear. Zelenskiy, aware of how any form of uncertainty could be interpreted by Russia as weakness, called on NATO to issue an invitation promptly.
Differences among NATO member states regarding Ukraine’s accession date have become increasingly apparent. Eastern European members who support Ukraine’s call argue that NATO’s security umbrella is essential for deterring further Russian aggression. On the other hand, countries like the United States and Germany have urged caution, fearing direct conflict with Russia.
In response to Zelenskiy’s criticism, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO had never sent a stronger message of support for Ukraine. Stoltenberg also clarified that previous NATO accession processes had always been conditional and lacked specific timetables.
While Zelenskiy’s hopes for a membership timetable were dashed, Western countries pledged increased military support to Ukraine. German Chancellor Schulz announced a long-term statement of support from the G7, to be released once peace is achieved. Germany also pledged $771 million in military aid, including missile systems, infantry fighting vehicles, and tanks. France committed to supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, while Denmark and the Netherlands announced a joint training initiative for Ukrainian pilots.
Despite these commitments, Russia remains critical of NATO’s decisions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused NATO of pulling Ukraine into the Western world when it asked for help but subsequently letting it down. The Kremlin warned of “catastrophic consequences” for Europe if Ukraine’s accession to NATO persisted and criticized the expansion of NATO’s military infrastructure near its borders.
While the NATO summit ended on July 12, Ukraine will continue to face ongoing challenges in its aspirations to become a NATO member. The lack of a concrete timetable and differing perspectives among NATO member states further complicate Ukraine’s path to membership.