Nato members have pledged their assist for an “irreversible path” to future membership for Ukraine, in addition to extra assist.
Whereas a proper timeline for it to hitch the navy alliance was not agreed at a summit in Washington DC, the navy alliance’s 32 members stated that they had “unwavering” assist for Ukraine’s warfare effort.
Nato has additionally introduced additional integration with Ukraine’s navy and members have dedicated €40bn ($43.3bn, £33.7bn) in assist within the subsequent yr, together with F-16 fighter jets and air defence assist.
The bloc’s Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg stated: “Assist to Ukraine will not be charity – it’s in our personal safety curiosity.”
The continuing invasion of Ukraine was high of the agenda at Nato’s summit, and a declaration agreed by all members stated Russia “stays probably the most important and direct risk” to safety.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed US-built F-16 jets are within the technique of being transferred to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands.
Will probably be the primary time Ukraine has acquired the superior plane, one thing which Kyiv has lengthy known as for. Mr Blinken instructed the summit the jets will probably be in use “this summer season”.
Nato members agreed to arrange a brand new unit to coordinate navy assist and coaching for the Ukrainian military as a part of measures designed to deepen ties between the alliance and Ukraine.
The joint assertion stated these measures, mixed with assist commitments from particular person members, “represent a bridge to Ukraine’s membership in Nato”.
It stated Ukraine had made “concrete progress” on “required democratic, financial, and safety reforms” in current months – however {that a} formal membership invitation would solely be prolonged when “circumstances are met”.
“As Ukraine continues this very important work, we are going to proceed to assist it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, together with Nato membership,” the assertion added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to the summit and had conferences with world leaders, together with his first with Sir Keir Starmer since he turned prime minister of the UK.
Sir Keir instructed Mr Zelensky there can be “no change in assist” for Ukraine’s warfare effort regardless of there being a brand new authorities in London.
Mr Zelensky additionally met US politicians from each the Democrat and Republican events, a transfer designed to shore up cross-party assist for Ukraine after a stand-off in Congress earlier this yr noticed a large military aid package delayed for several months.
Nato leaders had hoped this week’s summit would offer a possibility to current a united entrance on Ukraine after modest Russian good points on the battlefield in current months.
Nevertheless, there could also be some disappointment in Kyiv that there was no clear public indication on how lengthy it could be till Ukraine is obtainable full membership.
The summit – which marked the 75-year anniversary of the alliance’s basis – got here months earlier than a US presidential election which may see Donald Trump, a Nato critic, return to the White Home.
Responding to a query from the BBC, Mr Stoltenberg refused to be drawn on whether or not the US’s home politics may influence the alliance.
He stated: “Nato is probably the most profitable alliance in historical past as a result of we have now been in a position to keep out of home political debates.
“It is essential for me to proceed to do what I can to make sure that that continues to be the case.”
US President Joe Biden used the summit to reaffirm his assist for Ukraine and name for extra defence funding from different members which have lagged behind on spending.
He stated Russia is on a “wartime footing” by way of defence manufacturing with assist from Russia, North Korea and Iran – and leaders “can’t enable the alliance to fall behind”.
“We are able to and can defend each inch of Nato territory”, the president added.
