KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for a favorable outcome at the upcoming NATO summit, as Kyiv aims to receive a clear signal that it could potentially join the alliance. Zelensky, after meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, revealed that both leaders discussed the summit and agreed to collaborate in order to achieve the best possible result for Ukraine.
Poland, known as one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters within NATO, has emphasized the need for “security guarantees” for Ukraine from other alliance members. While Zelensky acknowledges that Ukraine’s actual membership in NATO may not happen until after the ongoing conflict, he anticipates that the summit will provide a clear indication of the alliance’s intentions regarding Ukraine’s integration.
US President Joe Biden, who embarked on his journey to Britain on Sunday en route to the NATO summit, expressed his desire for alliance leaders to outline a rational path for Ukraine to qualify for NATO membership. Speaking to CNN, Biden stated that while there are other qualifications, including democratization, that need to be met, he recognizes that unanimity within NATO regarding Ukraine’s immediate membership may not currently exist due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. He emphasized that bringing Ukraine into NATO at this moment could potentially escalate the conflict, considering the alliance’s commitment to collective defense.
Zelensky Seeks Western Allies’ Support Ahead of NATO Summit
Zelensky recently returned from a regional tour to Turkey, where he sought support from Western allies ahead of the NATO summit. Western countries have pledged significant military aid to Ukraine. However, the return of five top commanders from the Azov regiment, who were expected to remain in Turkey until the end of the conflict under a prisoner exchange agreement with Moscow, has sparked tensions with Russia. The Kremlin criticized the commanders’ return, deeming it a violation of the agreement with Turkey. The move has been seen as a display of solidarity by Ankara ahead of the NATO summit, which has faced pressure from various quarters.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues to escalate, with Russian troops invading Ukraine in February 2022. The United Nations has documented the deaths of 9,000 civilians, including 500 children, since the invasion. However, the actual toll is believed to be even higher. In a video released on social media, Zelensky commemorated the 500th day of the war, praising Ukraine as “the country of the brave” and highlighting the resilience of its people.
Amidst ongoing tensions, the decision by the United States to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions has drawn controversy. While the US decision was met with criticism from humanitarian groups, President Biden acknowledged that it was a difficult decision. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose country still faces the consequences of war remnants, urged Ukraine not to use cluster bombs, citing the painful experience Cambodia endured from US cluster munitions dropped in the early 1970s.
Russia, which utilizes cluster munitions in Ukraine, dismissed the US decision as an act of desperation that would have no effect on the conflict. The use of cluster munitions remains a contentious issue, with concerns over the potential long-term danger they pose to civilians.
