NATO nations agree Ukraine is on “irreversible path” to membership

NATO leaders said in a summit declaration released in Washington on Wednesday that Ukraine was on an “irreversible path.” NATO Membership.

Leaders’ DeclarationThe resolution, signed by all 32 NATO member states, represents the strongest statement yet of NATO’s intention to eventually include Ukraine as a member state.

Ukraine and its protection This year’s NATO summit The declaration, which outlines NATO’s beliefs and goals, states that Ukraine has “become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with its allies.”

“We welcome the concrete progress Ukraine has made on much-needed democratic, economic and security reforms since the Vilnius summit,” the declaration said. “As Ukraine continues this vital effort, we will continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. We reaffirm that, if allies agree and the conditions are met, we stand in a position to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance.”

But the alliance statement did not provide a specific timeline for Ukraine’s membership, which is aimed at formalizing ties with Europe and the United States. Held 1 year agoThe statement asserted that Ukraine would eventually become a member. Last year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukraine was making “good progress” toward membership but needed to do more, including by reforming its military and implementing democratic reforms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized last year’s statement.

Mr. Biden, Face a test of your strength President Trump, who is seeking to become the Democratic nominee, made Ukraine a key topic in his opening speech at the summit.

“We know Putin won’t stop in Ukraine. But make no mistake about it, Ukraine can and will stop Putin,” the president said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, “especially with our full and collective support. They have our full support.”

Biden said he was concerned about the threat of terrorism and Two years of war between Russia and UkraineThe president announced donations of air defense equipment to Ukraine from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy. In the coming months, the United States and its partners plan to provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air defense systems, he said.

Zelensky made the most of his time in Washington, meeting with leaders on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. He met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to continue to request more funding and supplies to defend the country against Russian aggression.