NATO Pledges Continuous Support for Ukraine at Summit

News Today: NATO Commits to Ongoing Support for Ukraine Amid Russian

The ongoing invasion of Ukraine was top of the agenda at NATO’s summit, with a declaration agreed by all members stating 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 in the process of being transferred to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. This marks the first time Ukraine has received such advanced aircraft, which Kyiv has long called for. Mr. Blinken told the summit that the jets will be in use “this summer.”

NATO members agreed to set up a new unit to coordinate military aid and training for the Ukrainian army as part of measures designed to deepen ties between the alliance and Ukraine. The joint statement said these measures, combined with aid commitments from individual members, “constitute a bridge to Ukraine’s membership in NATO.”

The statement also noted that Ukraine had made “concrete progress” on “required democratic, economic, and security reforms” in recent months, but a formal membership invitation would only be extended when “conditions are met.” As Ukraine continues this vital work, NATO pledged continuous support on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to the summit and held meetings with world leaders, including his first meeting with Sir Keir Starmer since he became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Sir Keir assured Mr. Zelensky that there would be “no change in support” for Ukraine’s war effort despite the new government in London. Mr. Zelensky also met US politicians from both the Democrat and Republican parties, aiming to shore up cross-party support for Ukraine.

NATO leaders hoped the summit would present a united front on Ukraine after recent Russian gains on the battlefield. However, there was some disappointment in Kyiv that no clear timeline was given for Ukraine’s full membership. The summit marked NATO’s 75-year anniversary and came months before a US presidential election that could see Donald Trump, a NATO critic, return to the White House.