VILNIUS: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday welcomed fresh commitments of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia even as he expressed disappointment and criticized the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO, as the bloc wrapped up its annual meeting.
Flanked by US President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven (G7), Zelensky said that the Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a considerable security victory, for its nation, people, and children.
A joint declaration released by the Group of Seven laid the groundwork for each country to negotiate treaties to assist Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Zelensky described the measure as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Moscow.
Biden said that the US support will last long into the future. It is going to help Kyive build a strong and capable defense, AP reported.
The announcement came as NATO leaders established a new forum NATO-Ukraine Council, for deepening relations with Ukraine. It will have to serve as a permanent setting where the bloc’s thirt-one members and Kyiv can hold consultations and arrange meetings in emergencies.
It is part of the military alliance’s effort to bring Kyiv as close as possible to NATO without actually letting it to join.
On Tuesday, the leaders said in their communique that Ukraine can join when allies agree and all conditions are met.
Ambigous plan for Ukraine
The ambiguous plan for the future membership of Ukraine reflects the hurdles in the way of reaching consensus among the group’s current members while the war rages on, and has frustrated the Ukrainian president even as he expressed appreciation for military hardware being pledged by G7 industrial countries.
He said that the results of the meeting are good, but it would be ideal if there were an invitation.. He Joining NATO would be a very serious motivating factor for teh society of Ukraine at it fights war against Russia.
Despite his disappointment, Zelensky appeared more conciliatory on Wednesday than the previous day, when he lambasted at the lack of a timeline for membership as absurd and unprecedented.
