Clear signal on Ukraine's membership or global agreement: diplomat Yelchenko talks about expectations from the NATO summit

Volodymyr Yelchenko, a diplomat and former permanent representative of Ukraine to the UN, told Espreso.

"I still think, if we are realistic, there can be a very clear signal at the NATO summit about our immediate or accelerated membership after the war. There may also be some security guarantees through the signing of a global agreement between Ukraine and NATO or Ukraine and the largest NATO member states (the US, France, Germany, and the UK)," he said.

Yelchenko believes that expanding cooperation will not be enough.

"We have all heard about the creation of this new body, the NATO-Ukraine Council. I think it is a name. Yes, Ukraine's status as a NATO partner will be raised, but I don't think it's enough," the diplomat concluded.

What is known about Ukraine's accession to NATO

Ukraine hopes to receive clear decisions on joining the Alliance in July during the NATO meeting in Vilnius. On May 23, Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, Natalia Galibarenko, mentioned that Ukraine is preparing two cooperation packages (political and practical), which will be presented for discussion during the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. 

On May 30, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba outlined three key points that define Ukraine's vision for a successful outcome at the NATO summit in Vilnius. "Strengthen Ukraine-NATO institutional ties and assistance. Take a step toward UA membership. Provide security guarantees on Ukraine’s path to NATO." 

On June 10, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Volodymyr Havrylov, expressed his belief that the July NATO summit in Vilnius  will set the algorithm for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Ukraine will become a NATO member in the future, but due to the ongoing war, specific dates for accession cannot be determined. However, he is confident that during the Vilnius summit, the member countries will work towards finding a solution regarding Ukraine's progress.

On June 15, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for Ukraine's membership in NATO with 425 votes in favor. 

On June 16, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on NATO chief Stoltenberg to drop the Membership Action Plan (MAP) if Ukraine joins NATO. US President Joe Biden expressed support for removing the MAP stage, making the joining process simpler for Ukraine.

James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the UK, assured support for Ukraine's simplified entry into NATO.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has valid reasons to receive a political invitation to NATO at the Vilnius summit.