Espreso. Global

NATO to offer Ukraine 'bridge' to membership at upcoming summit – media

27 June, 2024 Thursday
13:48

Ukraine will not start NATO membership talks at the upcoming summit, but NATO will establish a new headquarters to coordinate long-term aid to Ukraine

client/title.list_title

The New York Times writes about it.

At NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington, the alliance plans to set up a new headquarters to manage military assistance to Ukraine, signaling a long-term commitment to the country's security. This move is being seen as a “bridge” to future membership for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and some Central European nations had hoped for membership talks at the summit from July 9 to 11. However, NATO will instead announce a mission in Germany to coordinate various types of aid to Ukraine, demonstrating strong allied support amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

The new mission, called NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), aims to streamline military aid, including air defenses, artillery, and F-16 fighter jets, while also coordinating the training of Ukrainian military personnel in allied countries.

The mission will be based at a U.S. military facility in Wiesbaden, Germany, and led by a three-star general, likely American, reporting to NATO’s top commander in Europe, Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli. The aim is to protect the mission from potential political changes in the U.S., such as a possible return of Donald Trump to the presidency, who has been critical of NATO and aid to Ukraine.

Ivo Daalder, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, commented, “It’s an effort at Trump-proofing and a deliberate effort to bring Ukraine and NATO closer together to support Ukraine today as well as into the future.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hinted at the plan, stating it would “put our support to Ukraine on a firmer footing for years to come” and enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities without making NATO a party to the conflict.

The mission will also work alongside the existing U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which coordinates weapons deliveries from about 50 countries. This effort is intended to address inefficiencies in aid delivery, such as the recent offer of Mirage fighter jets from France, which require different training and maintenance than the F-16s already being introduced.

Jake Sullivan, U.S. national security adviser, said the summit would show that allies are taking “concrete steps” to bring Ukraine closer to NATO and ensure it has a “bridge to eventual membership.”

Despite the lack of immediate membership talks, the commitment represented by the new mission is expected to satisfy Zelenskyy and help ensure a smoother summit. Last year’s summit in Vilnius saw frustration from Zelenskyy when no firm timeline for membership was offered.

The European Union, by contrast, has opened accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a significant step for both countries amid ongoing regional tensions.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Sunday
12 January
19:48
OPINION
Boris Johnson's misguided view on Russia: Blind spot in Western politics
19:32
Interview
From Putin's point of view, Trump's statements are imperialistic aspirations - U.S. diplomat
19:11
German election forecast: impact on Ukraine
18:52
Russia claims "controlled burn" as fire rages at Engels oil depot after Ukrainian drone strike
18:26
Ukraine reports 75 clashes at front, repels 22 attacks in Pokrovsk sector
18:03
Exclusive
Russian forces outflank Pokrovsk to cut logistics, avoiding urban combat - military expert
17:45
NATO, Ramstein decisions on Ukraine air defense remain unfulfilled – Zelenskyy
17:20
Ukraine's Usyk awarded best boxer of year by The Ring
16:55
Unable to enter port, fuel tanks leak: Ukrainian intelligence on Russia's struggles to evacuate military gear from Syria
16:44
Updated
Russian army targets Kherson, its outskirts, injuring civilians, damaging critical infrastructure
16:31
Paperwork delays Lithuanian drone deliveries to Ukraine
16:10
Elderly man injured in Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region
16:00
Russian bus crashes in Ilovaisk, killing passengers
15:44
Ukrainian forces scale up experiment with new method to down Russian Mavics - Defense Express
15:25
Ukraine strikes Russian command post in occupied Donetsk region
15:04
Poland rules out boots on the ground in Ukraine
14:59
Zelenskyy calls on Western allies to honor promises on weapons supplies to Ukraine
14:33
Exclusive
“Army is running out of people”: Authorities need to hold honest conversations with the Ukrainian people – official
14:02
OPINION
Success on his opponent's turf: Another take on Zelenskyy's interview with Fridman
13:33
OPINION
Serbia's "knife in back" of Russia
13:00
Russian airstrike on senior care house in Kursk region leaves woman dead
12:15
Partisans identify secret Russian nuclear unit in Far East
11:29
Ukraine destroys 60 of 94 Russian drones overnight
11:02
Russian stormtroopers attack Ukrainian positions in Lyman sector
10:55
Switzerland proposes hosting Putin-Trump meeting
10:29
1,750 Russian soldiers eliminated in Ukraine in single day
2025, Saturday
11 January
19:40
Exclusive
Russian opposition expert Morozov outlines three key aspects of Putin's potential communications with Washington
19:00
Exclusive
U.S. military support for Ukraine will continue, says diplomat Bryza
18:35
Exclusive
Russia's shadow tanker fleet hit: Economist Pendzin on new sanctions package
18:10
Biden administration extends special status for Ukrainian refugees by 1.5 years
17:48
"Our task is to make 2025 a record year for drone production" – Zelenskyy
17:22
Exclusive
Trump unconcerned with terms of Ukraine-Russia peace deal – diplomat Bryza
16:55
Exclusive
"Without people, strength, and resources, we can't hold Kurakhove" – Major Hetman
16:31
Ukrainian army's retreat from Kursk will trigger Russian offensive
16:05
Exclusive
No Trump-Putin meeting in 2025, Russian opposition expert Morozov says
15:40
OPINION
Meeting with Trump. Putin wants to show he is being talked to
15:14
Two North Korean soldiers captured in Kursk region brought to Kyiv
14:50
Exclusive
First underground school built in Sumy region: costs revealed
14:23
Exclusive
Kurakhove issue remains unresolved: serviceman on Russian attacks in this sector
13:58
Exclusive
Preparing launching pad: political scientist Reiterovych on Trump's geopolitical statements
More news