Zelensky’s remarks may rekindle tensions at the summit, although there was a positive development when Turkey agreed to support Sweden’s bid to join NATO.
The aim of the summit is to resolve negotiations and provide a clear path forward for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.
Although a proposal on Ukraine’s potential membership has been drafted by officials, it has not been made public.
While U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his support for Ukraine’s NATO membership during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction on Twitter.
“We value our allies,” he said, adding that “Ukraine also deserves respect.”
“It’s unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership,” Zelensky said. He finished with, “Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit.”
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Biden and other NATO leaders on Wednesday.
There have been divisions within the alliance regarding Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, despite the promise made in 2008.
Stoltenberg suggested in an article that the alliance would enhance its political ties by establishing a NATO-Ukraine Council, which would serve as a platform for decision-making and crisis consultations.
Additionally, Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday that NATO would no longer require a “membership action plan” for Ukraine, removing another hurdle.
However, Zelensky remains concerned, and the Baltic states, particularly Lithuania, the host of the summit, are advocating for strong support and a clear pathway to membership for Ukraine.
On the other hand, the United States and Germany are urging caution. Biden stated that Ukraine is not yet ready to join NATO, emphasising the need for member countries to meet all qualifications, including democratisation and addressing governance and corruption concerns.
Some within NATO fear that Ukraine’s membership could provoke Russia rather than act as a deterrent against aggression.
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, noted that allies are debating the specifics of Ukraine’s pathway to membership. However, he assured that the summit would demonstrate that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hopes for dividing NATO would be unsuccessful.
