Biden and G7 Leaders Offer Strong Support for

the brink of a new era of conflict and instability.”

The joint declaration of support for Ukraine comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and its subsequent annexation of Crimea have strained relations between Moscow and the international community. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.

The NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, was seen as a crucial moment for Ukraine, as it sought assurances of support from the alliance. President Biden and G7 leaders delivered a strong message of solidarity with Ukraine, offering security guarantees and a commitment to bolster the country’s military capabilities.

While Ukraine was not invited to join NATO during the summit, President Biden emphasized that the alliance is working on necessary reforms before considering Ukraine’s membership. In the meantime, the US and other NATO nations pledged to provide security assistance to Ukraine and protect it against any aggression.

President Zelensky expressed his frustration at not receiving more specific details on Ukraine’s path to NATO membership. However, he ultimately deemed the summit a success, stating that the results were good for Ukraine. The G7 leaders agreed to remove one requirement for Ukrainian entrance to the alliance, signaling progress towards Ukraine’s eventual membership.

The joint declaration issued by the G7 outlined three main goals for supporting Ukraine. These include ensuring a sustainable defense force capable of deterring Russian aggression, strengthening Ukraine’s economic stability and resilience, and providing technical and financial support for immediate needs and ongoing reforms.

The declaration also signaled a commitment to bilateral negotiations with Ukraine to formalize long-term security commitments and arrangements. The purpose of these negotiations is to bolster Ukraine’s deterrence capabilities and send a strong message to Russia that time is not on its side.

President Biden expressed his understanding and support for President Zelensky, praising Ukraine’s courage and resilience in the face of Russian aggression. He assured Zelensky that American support for Ukraine is unwavering and that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is inevitable.

President Zelensky thanked the US and the G7 leaders for their commitment to Ukraine’s security and prosperity. He acknowledged the difficult political decisions made by the US, such as the controversial decision to send cluster munitions, and expressed gratitude for the support.

The joint declaration and the show of support from the G7 leaders are significant steps towards strengthening Ukraine’s position in the face of Russian aggression. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a major challenge for the international community, and the NATO Summit in Vilnius has provided a platform for addressing these challenges and reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.CNN: President Biden and G7 Leaders Offer Support for Ukraine at NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania

Security guarantees from leading nations and assurances that Ukraine’s future lies in NATO on Wednesday appeared to calm brewing worries that Ukrainian frustrations at not being admitted to the alliance would overshadow one of the most significant meetings of the alliance in recent memory.

President Joe Biden and G7 leaders unveiled a substantial show of support for Ukraine Wednesday at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, offering a joint declaration of support for Ukraine aimed at bolstering the war-torn country’s military capability.

Biden acknowledged that the alliance did not invite Ukraine to membership during the summit as it works on “necessary reforms,” but, he said, “We’re not waiting on that process to be finished” to boost the country’s security. Biden has emphasized that Ukraine is not ready to enter NATO, telling CNN in an exclusive interview last week that Russia’s war in Ukraine needs to end before the alliance can consider adding Kyiv to its ranks.

“Mr. Zelensky and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime… And so today, the long-term commitments we’re making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, we’re going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur.”

Ukraine has been a dominant item on the summit’s agenda as the US president looks to keep the group united behind President Volodymyr Zelensky in the face of Russia’s invasion. Zelensky arrived in Lithuania on Tuesday and had issued a blistering statement expressing his frustration at not receiving more specific details on when and how Ukraine would join the alliance.

However, it appears he heard enough to go home happy, saying, “The results of the summit are good” in a news conference with the alliance’s chief. Among the moves NATO took was agreeing to remove one requirement for Ukrainian entrance to the group – a Membership Action Plan – given Kyiv’s close relationship with NATO nations. It did not provide a firm timeline for when the Ukrainians will become official members.

While sitting with Biden before their meeting on the summit’s sidelines, Zelensky said he felt the summit was a “success” for Ukraine despite his earlier frustrations – which the US president acknowledged during his remarks.

“The frustration, I can only imagine. I know, you’re many times frustrated about what things get to you quickly enough, and what’s getting to you and how we’re getting there. But I promise you: The United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can get it to you,” Biden said.

An example of the tensions between Washington and Kyiv spilled into public view ahead of the meeting when national security adviser Jake Sullivan fielded a tense question from a Ukrainian activist during an appearance at a NATO public forum Wednesday morning, offering, perhaps, a preview of how Biden will respond to Zelensky’s frustrations later on in the day. Sullivan defended the decision to keep Ukraine out of the alliance for now, and told the activist that “the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude” for their support as he praised the Ukrainian people for standing up to Russia’s aggression.

“The American people have sought – in watching and wanting to stand in solidarity with the brave and courageous people of Ukraine – to step up and deliver. And I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude – from us, from the United States, from our government deserve gratitude for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world, as well, as do every ally and partner that’s supporting it,” Sullivan said.

But none of that tension was present when Biden and Zelensky stood in front of the cameras later on Wednesday.

In an event with Zelensky and G-7 leaders, Biden told the Ukrainian president that American support is not going anywhere. The declaration, Biden said, “starts a process by which each of our nations, and any other nation who wishes to participate, will negotiate long term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine.”

“We’re going to help Ukraine build a strong defense across land, air, and sea,” Biden vowed, calling it “a force of stability in the region to deter against any and all threats.”

He thanked G7 leaders and Zelensky for their work, calling the declaration a “powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine” as he reiterated the US will be there “for as long as it takes.”

Zelensky thanked the leaders for the new commitment.

“The Ukrainian delegation is bringinggovernance necessary for its integration into the Euro-Atlantic community,” Sloat said.

The joint declaration comes as Ukraine continues to face aggression from Russia, which invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014 and has supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.

The support from the G7 and NATO leaders is seen as a significant boost for Ukraine’s security and stability. It sends a clear message to Russia that the international community stands united in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the new commitment, calling it a “victory for Ukraine.” He emphasized the importance of the security guarantees and financial support in rebuilding the country’s economy and protecting its citizens.

The joint declaration outlines three main goals for the support to Ukraine. The first goal is to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression. This includes the provision of security assistance, modern military equipment, and training for Ukrainian forces.

The second goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s economic stability and resilience. This involves reconstruction and recovery efforts, as well as support for energy security and economic prosperity.

The third goal is to provide technical and financial support for Ukraine’s immediate needs resulting from Russia’s war, as well as to enable the country to continue implementing effective reforms necessary for its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

The negotiations for bilateral security commitments and arrangements will begin immediately, according to the declaration. This signifies a long-term commitment from the G7 and NATO nations to support Ukraine in its defense and development.

The joint declaration is a significant step forward for Ukraine and its aspirations to join NATO. While the country is not yet ready for membership, the support and guarantees from leading nations provide reassurance and a path forward for Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.

The NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, has been marked by a strong focus on Ukraine and the ongoing conflict with Russia. The leaders’ commitment to Ukraine’s security and stability sends a clear message that aggression and violations of international law will not be tolerated.

As the summit continues, discussions on other important issues, such as cybersecurity, climate change, and global security, are also taking place. However, the support for Ukraine remains a top priority, reflecting the significance of the situation and the determination of the international community to stand with Ukraine in its time of need.

How does the joint declaration from the G7 and NATO leaders demonstrate their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia?

Lines the goals of supporting Ukraine, which include strengthening its defense capabilities, promoting economic stability, and providing ongoing technical and financial assistance. It also highlights the commitment to bilateral negotiations to solidify long-term security arrangements and send a message to Russia.

President Biden reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine and reassured President Zelensky that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is inevitable. President Zelensky expressed his appreciation for the support and deemed the summit a success for Ukraine.

The joint declaration and show of support from the G7 and NATO leaders mark significant steps in bolstering Ukraine’s position against Russian aggression. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a major challenge, but the summit provided a platform for addressing these challenges and reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.