Weapons, training and intelligence: security guarantees G7 will provide to Ukraine

The Financial Times reported the information.

In exchange for security guarantees, Kyiv will undertake to carry out reforms, including the judicial system and civilian control over the army.

"We understand that the best guarantee for Ukraine is to be in Nato. On our way to Nato, we would like the security guarantees and to have them permanently, so that they would make our relationship with [western] countries even more powerful," Zelenskyy told reporters.

Non-G7 countries are also reportedly being encouraged to align their own commitments to Ukraine's security.

"Today’s framework declaration and security guarantees will open up the possibility for strong bilateral commitments," the Ukrainian president added.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Zelenskyy to the summit.

"Today we meet as equals. I look forward to the day when we meet as allies," Stoltenberg said.

The secretary general called for "credible arrangements in place for Ukraine’s security so history doesn't repeat itself."

"I therefore welcome that many allies will today commit to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine," he said.

Western diplomats say the security pledges will help Ukraine liberate territory occupied by Russia and modernize its army. They will also give Kyiv the assurance that support will continue regardless of political changes in Western capitals.

Amanda Sloat, senior director for Europe in the US National Security Council, said that the guarantees would “help Ukraine build a military that can defend itself and deter a future attack."

NATO summit and Ukraine's accession to the Alliance

On July 11 to 12, a summit of NATO leaders is taking place in Vilnius. Meetings are held at the level of leaders and governments. For the first time, the summit is hosted by Lithuania. The events are taking place at the LITEXPO convention center. Thousands of military personnel provide security during the events, with Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems protecting the sky.

The meetings are attended by leaders of 31 NATO countries, including US President Joe Biden, and delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden. In total, over 2,400 members of 48 foreign delegations, including up to 40 heads of state and 150 other high-ranking government officials, were expected to arrive in Vilnius. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also attending the summit.

In particular, on July 11, the NATO summit in Vilnius adopted a package of decisions regarding Ukraine: the Membership Action Plan phase is canceled, and the country will receive an invitation to join the Alliance after fulfilling the requirements for accession and subject to the consent of all allies. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was outraged by the existence of "conditions" for Ukraine to receive an invitation to NATO and said that it looked like "unwillingness to invite our country to the Alliance."

The Allies reached a consensus on a conclusive communiqué regarding Ukraine, affirming their 2008 commitment that Ukraine would eventually join NATO. The document further acknowledged that Ukraine's journey towards complete Euro-Atlantic integration has surpassed the benchmarks outlined in the Membership Action Plan. Member states emphasized Ukraine's increasing operational and political integration with the Alliance, as well as the notable advancements made in implementing reforms. Additionally, it was stated that NATO foreign ministers will conduct regular evaluations of progress through the Annual National Program.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, shared his response to the decisions made during the first day of the Vilnius NATO Summit. He expressed the belief that the Alliance should not postpone Ukraine's accession to NATO. 

Furthermore, he mentioned that NATO did not specify the conditions that Ukraine needs to meet in order to join the Alliance, and it remains unclear who should be responsible for formulating those conditions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the results of the NATO summit and said that if Ukraine had received an invitation to join the Alliance, it "would have been ideal."