Zelenskyy: NATO summit results are good, but would have been ideal if there had been invitation

The President delivered the statement during the NATO summit, broadcasted by Espreso TV.

He also noted that the adoption of security guarantees for Ukraine would be an important and concrete success for the country. The President emphasizes that these are security guarantees on the way to NATO, not instead of it.

"I would really like us to have success at the summit today, for all of us - for Ukraine, for our soldiers, for citizens, children, for everyone, and in particular, security guarantees, which are so important for people. Security guarantees for Ukraine on its way to NATO. Not instead of it, but on the way to integration. Today, these security guarantees can be confirmed by the G7, and I think if this happens and we work, it will be an important success for us. We can state that the results of the summit are good, but if there was an invitation, they would be ideal," Zelenskyy explained.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that a group of Ukraine's key allies is close to reaching an agreement to start talks with Kyiv on a set of bilateral security commitments.

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. 

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.

For more information on the events of the NATO summit, follow the link.