In a joint statement released Wednesday, NATO leaders emphasized that “Ukraine’s future is in NATO” and its path towards membership is “irreversible.” The leaders expressed their commitment to providing long-term support for Kyiv without specifying a timeline for Ukraine’s accession to the alliance.
The declaration, issued after a meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council in Washington, acknowledged the progress made by Ukraine in implementing necessary democratic, economic, and security reforms since the Vilnius Summit. It reiterated NATO’s support for Ukraine’s continued integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, including eventual membership in the alliance.
The statement outlined ongoing assistance to Ukraine, including the establishment of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training by Allies and partners. The move to centralize training and equipment coordination under NATO’s purview was seen as a way to ensure sustained support for Ukraine, especially in the face of uncertainties surrounding future US administrations.
The declaration also expressed concerns about the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia and their efforts to undermine the international rules-based order. It called on China to cease all material and political support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and highlighted Beijing’s role in enabling Moscow’s military actions.
The NATO leaders pledged long-term support for Ukraine, with a commitment to provide a baseline funding of €40 billion within the next year and sustainable levels of security assistance to help Ukraine prevail. The declaration also addressed China’s systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, including cyber and hybrid activities, and recognized the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to NATO.
Overall, the statement underscored NATO’s support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and the alliance’s determination to confront threats to regional security posed by Russia and China.
