According to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, NATO will outline a path of reforms for Ukraine that could eventually lead to its membership in the alliance. However, he did not provide a specific timetable for this process. Sullivan emphasized that immediate entry into NATO is not possible for Ukraine due to its ongoing war with Russia, as it would potentially drag the alliance into the conflict. Instead, the focus is on defining a reform path for Ukraine.
Sullivan expressed optimism about reaching a consensus on Ukraine’s ambition at the NATO summit in Vilnius, stating that “the question is what’s the pathway?” When asked whether the presence of Russian troops on Ukrainian territory would prevent NATO membership, Sullivan indicated that there might be room for compromise. He mentioned that defining the end of the war and the conditions for NATO membership would not be determined at this time, as historical circumstances have shown different perspectives on such matters.
Apart from the issue of membership, NATO countries are discussing concrete interim security measures to support Ukraine. These measures would involve providing funding and weapons to Ukraine’s military as it defends itself against Russian aggression. Sullivan mentioned that the details of these measures are still unclear, but they are expected to be discussed during a meeting between President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sullivan also welcomed Turkey’s decision to drop its opposition to Sweden’s entry into NATO. He credited President Biden’s personal leadership for persuading Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to support Sweden’s bid. The unanimity of all alliance members was required for Sweden’s entry. The US is now actively engaging with Congress to address opposition to the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, which has been a top demand from the Erdogan administration.
In summary, NATO is planning to define a reform path for Ukraine without specifying a timetable for its membership. Interim security measures for Ukraine are being discussed, and President Biden’s leadership played a role in Turkey’s support for Sweden’s entry into NATO. The US is working towards resolving opposition to the sale of fighter jets to Turkey.
