Unresolved Language on Ukraine Membership Casts Shadow on NATO Summit

NATO Leaders Face Challenges in Vilnius Summit

VILNIUS — As leaders of the NATO alliance gather in the Lithuanian capital for a summit, they are faced with one problem resolved and another still to be addressed. Sweden’s troubled membership bid was accepted by Turkey’s president late Monday, but the issue of formulating acceptable language on Ukraine’s membership aspirations remains unresolved.

After intensive talks on the summit communiqué, there was still no final deal on what will be offered to Ukraine. However, a senior NATO diplomat expressed optimism, stating, “We have made very good progress, and I am 100 percent optimistic.”

Officials negotiating the language on Ukraine are expected to reconvene on Tuesday, the same day leaders will begin their two-day meeting. “I believe it is coming together — it is very close,” said a second senior NATO diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy increased pressure on the alliance on Monday, demanding that NATO send a clear signal that his country will join once the war with Russia is over. “Even if different positions are voiced, it is still clear that Ukraine deserves to be in the Alliance. Not now — there is a war, but we need a clear signal. And we need this signal right now,” Zelenskyy said.

Kyiv’s bid to join NATO after hostilities are over has widespread backing among alliance members but has faced resistance from Germany and the United States. While all allies formally agree that Ukraine will become a member one day, Berlin and Washington are hesitant about offering Ukraine a concrete path to membership. They prefer to focus on Kyiv’s immediate needs to battle the Russian invasion.

“I don’t think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war,” U.S President Joe Biden told CNN in an interview that aired on Sunday. He added that if Ukraine were a NATO member, “We’re at war with Russia, if that were the case.”

A senior German official stated earlier on Monday, “The time is not right at this summit for an invitation to Ukraine, for concrete steps toward membership. There is no consensus on this among the allies either.”

Biden, who arrived in Vilnius on Monday, plans to meet with Zelenskyy on Wednesday.

Alliance leaders will be able to give their full attention to Ukraine on Tuesday after resolving another significant problem — Sweden’s stalled bid for NATO membership. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan promised to put the issue to Turkey’s parliament, paving the way for Sweden’s acceptance into the alliance.

The NATO summit in Vilnius is expected to address various challenges and opportunities facing the alliance, including the evolving security landscape in Europe and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Belarus.

(Hans von der Burchard contributed reporting.)

How can NATO strike a balance between supporting Ukraine’s membership aspirations and avoiding antagonizing Russia?

Clear signal of support for Ukraine’s membership aspirations. Zelenskyy emphasized that NATO’s support is crucial for his country’s security and stability in the face of ongoing tensions with Russia.

NATO leaders are grappling with the challenge of striking a balance between supporting Ukraine’s aspirations while avoiding further antagonizing Russia. This delicate task requires finding acceptable language that acknowledges Ukraine’s progress towards NATO membership without directly promising membership.

The issue of Sweden’s membership bid, which had been a source of contention within the alliance, was resolved with Turkey’s President finally accepting it. This development is seen as a positive step towards strengthening NATO’s collective defense and unity.

The Vilnius Summit is a critical moment for NATO, as it seeks to navigate these challenges and reinforce its relevance and effectiveness in a changing global landscape. In addition to addressing membership aspirations, leaders will also discuss other pressing issues, including cyber threats, climate change, and emerging security challenges.

Despite the remaining obstacles, there is a sense of cautious optimism among NATO diplomats. The progress made in the negotiations on Ukraine’s membership aspirations is seen as a positive sign, and there is hope that a consensus can be reached during the summit.

The outcome of the Vilnius Summit will have significant implications for NATO’s future trajectory and its ability to tackle evolving security challenges. As leaders gather in the Lithuanian capital, they are acutely aware of the need to find common ground and present a united front in the face of these challenges.