Hurdle to Ukraine NATO Membership Dropped Ahead of Vilnius Summit

Mon Jul 10 2023
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

VILNIUS: As leaders of the NATO bloc gathered for a crucial summit in Lithuania, a key hurdle to Ukraine’s membership in NATO has been lifted. A Western official confirmed to AFP that the alliance is prepared to drop the Membership Action Plan (MAP) requirement for Ukraine’s application to join NATO.

The breakthrough comes as divisions emerge over Washington’s controversial decision to supply cluster bombs to Kyiv. Despite Moscow’s objection to the move, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that it would expedite Ukraine’s path to NATO membership, although the country still needs to undertake further reforms.

Kuleba expressed his satisfaction with the decision on Twitter, stating, “NATO allies have reached consensus on removing MAP from Ukraine’s path to membership. I welcome this long-awaited decision that shortens our path to NATO.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had expressed hope that the NATO summit in Vilnius would send a clear signal that Kyiv could join the alliance once its conflict with Russia is resolved.

While the removal of MAP is a significant step, the Western official cautioned that Ukraine would still need to complete additional reforms before becoming a NATO member.

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Continues Against Russia

Meanwhile, on the battlefront, Ukraine’s counteroffensive continues, with its forces reclaiming 14 square kilometers in the past week near the Russian-controlled city of Bakhmut. The military reported “heavy fighting” in the area.

In a concerning development, Russian shelling on Sunday targeted a humanitarian aid hub in the Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in the death of four individuals, as announced by the local governor.

The supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine has been a subject of concern during discussions at the NATO summit. The decision has raised objections from rights groups and countries like Britain, which have signed an agreement banning the use of cluster bombs due to the risks they pose to civilian populations.

US President Joe Biden defended the decision, stating that Ukrainian forces were running low on ammunition. The White House national security adviser emphasized that Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were strategically aligned on the issue.

China criticized the move, calling it “irresponsible” and warning of potential humanitarian problems.

In addition to Ukraine’s NATO membership, another focus of the summit is pressuring Turkey to withdraw its opposition to Sweden’s membership bid. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an attempt to resolve the diplomatic deadlock.

Erdogan has expressed frustrations over Sweden’s alleged failure to address concerns regarding suspected Kurdish militants in Stockholm. He stated that Turkey would approve Sweden’s membership if the European Union resumed long-stalled membership talks with Ankara.

Turkey and Hungary currently stand in the way of unanimous ratification needed for Sweden to become the 32nd member of NATO. Hungary is expected to follow Erdogan’s lead and support Sweden’s membership if given the green light by Ankara. – AFP

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp