The decision is not identical to the one announced last year at the summit in Vilnius, assured US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith.
At the meeting of NATO leaders in Washington, changes are expected in the wording about the prospects for Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance, but it will not come in the invitation itself. US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said this at a press conference on the eve of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Alliance in Prague, European Pravda reported on Wednesday, May 29.
According to the ambassador, the member countries agreed that it is necessary to give a political signal regarding Ukraine’s approach to the Alliance, which will be part of the overall aid package to Kyiv.
“The summit’s decision will contain new language in Ukraine regarding Ukraine’s aspirations to become a NATO member. The decision is not identical to the one announced last year (at the Vilnius summit),” Smith said and added that the last words have not yet been agreed upon, but “The allies have already expressed interesting ideas.”
At the same time, the ambassador stressed that Ukraine should not expect that the discussion of this issue will lead to the most favorable option for it – a political invitation to membership.
“An invitation to Ukraine to become a member will not be considered at this time, it is unlikely to focus on providing a support package that will form a bridge to membership,” explained Julianne Smith.
In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna claimed that the decision of the NATO summit in Washington will set a certain position – on the inevitable membership of Ukraine in the Alliance.
“There are assurances from the allies, especially the United States and other countries that play an important role in preparing for the summit, that the decision of the summit will include a specific position regarding Ukraine’s membership in NATO, its irreversibility, and about the road map,” he said at the telethon.
At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Ukraine expects Western partners to make strategic decisions on air and missile defense of our country.
“We are testing the Alliance for its ability to coordinate its efforts and close the skies of Ukraine either through bilateral solutions or through more comprehensive solutions,” Stefanishyna said.
We remind you that on July 9-11, an anniversary NATO summit dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Alliance will be held in Washington. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the summit would be devoted to Ukraine’s upcoming accession. Washington plans to discuss the development of a “road map” for this.
Source: korrespondent
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