Nato summit: Ukraine's future membership to be discussed by leaders in Vilnius
11-07-2023, 11:48

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

Nato leaders are gathering in Lithuania for a crucial summit that could shape the direction of the war in Ukraine and the future of the Western alliance.

The 31 allies hope to show Russia they have the resolve to support Ukraine militarily for the long term.

They arrive with a welcome boost after Turkey dropped its objections to Sweden joining the alliance.

But there remains disagreement over what to say about Ukraine's own ambitions of future membership.

It is thought some allies will promise Kyiv new security guarantees designed to deter future Russian aggression. They will also discuss providing more weapons and ammunition.

On the membership issue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants Nato to say Ukraine could join as soon as possible after the fighting ends - setting out explicitly how and when this could be achieved.

But some Nato nations are reluctant to go too far, fearing the promise of near-automatic membership could give Russia an incentive both to escalate and drag out the war.

Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, said no final decision had been made on the language of the final communiqué, but added: "I am absolutely certain that we will have unity and a strong message on Ukraine."

But after late night talks on Monday, he announced that Turkey had agreed to support Sweden's application to join Nato. The news was welcomed by the US and Germany, as well as Sweden itself.

Turkey had spent months blocking Stockholm's application, accusing it of hosting Kurdish militants. Mr Stoltenberg said the two sides had worked together to address Turkey's "legitimate security concerns".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier suggested he would back Sweden if the EU re-opened frozen membership talks with Ankara - a request that was rejected by EU officials.

Over their two-day meeting, Nato leaders are expected to agree new plans to deter and defend the alliance against future Russian aggression by beefing up their forces in the east.

And they are also expected to step up their financial commitment, making the target of spending 2% of national wealth on defence a minimum figure, rather than a general ambition. Rishi Sunak's spokesman said the UK prime minister would call on allies directly to meet this target.

Security is tight in Vilnius, with Nato forces - including Patriot air defence missiles - defending a summit taking place only a short distance from Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The overarching aim of the meeting is for Nato to convince President Vladimir Putin of the alliance's long-term military commitment to Ukraine.

Officials hope this could begin to change the Russian leader's thinking, putting doubt in his mind that he can outwait the West.

As such, some see this summit as potentially as important as military gains on the battlefield in persuading Mr Putin to change his strategy.

So some Nato members will promise Ukraine new security guarantees. US President Joe Biden has suggested Ukraine could get the kind of military support his country gives Israel - long-term commitments designed to deter potential aggressors.

The alliance will also deepen its institutional links with Ukraine. An existing forum - the Ukraine Nato Commission - will be upgraded to a Ukraine Nato Council. This will give Ukraine the ability to summon meetings of the alliance as an equal partner round the table. "The right to consult is not insignificant," said one official.

But perhaps most importantly, some members are expected to set out more explicitly Ukraine's pathway to joining the alliance.

Nato agreed at its 2008 summit in Bucharest that Ukraine "will" become a member and supported its application. But the alliance did not say how and when this might happen. Critics say giving Ukraine a destination but no itinerary allowed Mr Putin to risk his invasions in both 2014 and 2022.

Mr Biden will meet Mr Zelensky at the summit, a US official told Reuters, although the Ukrainian president is yet to officially confirm his participation at the event.

Kyiv accepts Nato cannot formally invite Ukraine to join while fighting rages. That would risk plunging the alliance into war with Russia, as Nato would be obliged under Article 5 of its treaty to defend any member that is under attack.

Instead, Kyiv wants a clear promise of post-war membership with a timeline, so it knows victory will bring the security guarantee of Nato's nuclear umbrella.

One way for Nato to signal its desire to welcome Ukraine into its ranks would be to shorten the so-called membership application plan, known as the MAP. This is the formal process which tests whether a country meets Nato's strict military and governmental standards - and it can take decades.

But it is what Nato might actually say about Ukraine's potential membership that is dividing the alliance.

The Baltic states and eastern European nations are pushing for as much clarity as possible. They want the alliance to make clear how much progress Ukraine has made towards membership, especially how much more closely its army can operate with other Nato forces, now that it shares similar weapons and strategies. They also want Nato to make clear what further conditions Ukraine must meet to achieve membership.

Gitanas Nauseda, the president of Lithuania, said Nato should avoid Ukraine's membership becoming a horizon: "The more you walk towards it, the farther it is."

But some allies - including the US and Germany - are cautious about promising Ukraine too much. They want Ukraine to do more to tackle corruption, strengthen its judiciary and ensure civilian control over its military.

Some also worry about Nato getting dragged into open conflict with Russia. They fear promising Ukraine membership after the war would give Putin an incentive both to escalate the conflict and drag it out, maintaining low-intensity fighting to prevent Ukraine ever joining.

Other allies also fear losing room for manoeuvre in any post-war negotiations. They want to use the promise of Nato membership as a carrot for Ukraine and a stick for Russia, but only after the fighting has ended.

 

BBC

 

Comments: 1173
#1153   Danial
      
References:


Grey eagle casino calgary https://sigma-talenta.com
11 August 2026 11:15
#1152   Alysa
      
11 August 2026 10:31
#1151   Yolanda
      
References:


Online casino mobile https://career.agricodeexpo.org
10 August 2026 18:30
#1150   Magaret
      
References:


Melbourne casino https://cleveran.com/profile/erwinbrand0240
10 August 2026 15:06
#1149   Steve
      
10 August 2026 13:50
#1148   Joni
      
References:


London casino http://longlive.com/node/58045
10 August 2026 11:35
#1147   Mellissa
      
10 August 2026 03:15
#1146   Del
      
References:


Hollywood casino ohio https://career.agricodeexpo.org/
10 August 2026 00:11
#1145   Candace
      
9 August 2026 19:48
#1144   Flor
      
References:


Meadowlands casino https://www.kerg-ufa.ru/
9 August 2026 14:37
#1143   Kandace
      
References:


Osage casino skiatook https://jobbridge4you.com/
9 August 2026 13:37
#1142   Valorie
      
It's awesome for me to have a website, which is valuable designed for my know-how.
thanks admin

Take a look at my homepage :: สเปกโซล่าเซลล์
9 August 2026 00:14
#1141   Whitney
      
Einige Casinos verwenden auch Datenbanküberprüfungen und Gesichtsabgleich-Tools.
Dies macht die Instant
Casino App Spielautomaten
-Casino-Registrierung reibungslos und
sicher. Wenn Sie Ihre Zahlungsmethode angeben, überprüft das System Ihre Angaben automatisch.

Viele Websites verwenden bankbasierte Identitätsprüfungen.
8 August 2026 13:26
#1140   Reuben
      
At Candy96, promotions are generous, payouts are fast, and crypto options like Bitcoin and Ethereum are supported.
Bonuses give you more chances to win, reduce
your own risk, and unlock more fun. Aussie players, scoot over to
Candy96 now, sign up in a flash, and snag your Candy96 no deposit bonus for
risk-free spins on those sweet pokies.
We prioritize casinos with low wagering requirements
and even feature no wagering bonuses where you can withdraw immediately without meeting
any playthrough requirements. While these are promotional offers, any winnings you generate from the free
spins are real and can be withdrawn once you meet the casino's wagering requirements.
You can then use these funds to play real money games and potentially cash
out your winnings after meeting any wagering requirements.
Simply sign up for an account, verify your email, and the bonus is automatically
credited to your account. These offers allow you to try new casinos, test their games,
and potentially win real money without any financial risk.
Get answers to the most common questions about no deposit bonuses and free spins Canadian players enjoy province-specific guidance,
including support for Interac e-Transfer and local banking
options.
These short-term promos pop up regularly, like the 30 free
spins on candy-themed pokies, and they're active for Aussies right now if
you sign up quick-smart. This promo pops up regularly for players down under, often as 30 free spins on candy-themed slots or around $18 in free credits that
hit your account automatically. Candy96's no deposit bonus gives Aussie punters a fair crack at free spins or
credits straight after signup, letting you test the
pokies without staking your own dosh.
However, you will need to meet the wagering requirements and stick to the terms before you can withdraw any winnings.
We have a dedicated section to all of the latest welcome deals that are on offer – including heaps of free spins when signing up for a new account.
By doing so, you’ll become eligible for the advertised offer where
your free spins will be waiting after you follow the required
steps. This in turn will help you unlock the wagering requirements and convert the bonus.

Therefore, it’s recommended to find games with a relatively high RTP
combined with low volatility to hit consistent winning spins and
maintain your balance.
Claim it within a short window, like hours from signup, or it might
expire — check your account dashboard right away to confirm it's active.
Alexander checks every real money casino on our shortlist offers the high-quality experience players deserve.
You can check out our full list of the best no deposit bonuses at
US casinos further up the page. Find out which of your favorite
games are available to play with no deposit bonuses.
Another way for existing players to take part of no deposit bonuses are by downloading the
casino app or signing up to the mobile casino. However,
some casinos offer special no deposit bonuses for their existing players.

Before claiming at an unfamiliar casino, read the FXCheck™ reports on this page and on the casino's bonus detail pages.

A large virtual balance ($500–$2,500) to play within a strict time window (15–60 minutes).
If you're open to depositing, our first deposit match bonuses page covers the structurally favorable
matched offers, often with materially better wagering than no-deposit promos.
Yes, but only as a risk-free trial, not as a bankroll strategy.
Quick verdict — Useful for testing a casino risk-free.
The filters above hide offers that are not available in your country, but you should always verify on the
casino's site. Many no-deposit bonuses cap
bets at $5 or $10 per spin while wagering is active. When FXCheck™ data is candy 96 on app
store
limited on a newer casino, a quick independent search combining the casino's name with terms like "complaint" or
"withdrawal issue" surfaces the main red flags in minutes.

Offer availability for US players may differ by location, including Michigan and West Virginia.
Online gambling laws, licensing conditions, and casino
availability vary by country and, in some markets, by state or province.
Some casinos award spins or credits after the player confirms an email address, verifies a
phone number, or completes an identity check. "No wagering" does
not mean "no terms." Read the full rules and use the Casino.Help no wagering bonus guide to compare the conditions that
still apply. Some free-play offers last only a few hours, while others remain available for several days.
Any winnings generated from it may remain in a bonus balance until the wagering requirement and other
conditions have been completed.
At $1 per spin on a slot, clearing $500 of wagering takes roughly 500
spins — about 30–45 minutes of steady play.
Casinos cap bets (typically at $5 or $10) to prevent
players from clearing wagering in a few high-stakes spins.
Anything promising bigger outcomes without conditions is misrepresenting the structure.
7 August 2026 09:59
#1139   Cathern
      
Лечение алкоголизма прошло успешно, физической тяги
больше нет, продолжаем терапию.


https://rextonhomes.com/agent/lurlenehyz2599/
7 August 2026 08:51
#1138   Margareta
      
Отличный нетворкинг, правильный клуб бизнесменов для
серьезных людей.

https://thehrguardians.com/employer/aumaclub/
7 August 2026 07:37
#1137   Jared
      
Формат групп оставляет хорошие шансы даже аутсайдерам.



https://trlink.org/jarrodmarx
7 August 2026 05:18
#1136   Willy
      
Участники The International 2026 явно готовились к этому патчу.


https://www.videylink.com/neva51a596365
7 August 2026 05:06
#1135   Annett
      
Формат турнира оставили прежним или есть изменения?


https://406ammo.com/author-profile/efrensolorio13/
7 August 2026 03:48
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 59Next