Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at NATO Summit in Vilnius

The president announces plan to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Novaya Gazeta Europe’s correspondent reports.

The president said that there are three key topics on today’s agenda: military aid packages, invitation to become a member of NATO, and security guarantees for Ukraine.

“We need to have the understanding that we will receive this invitation when the security situation allows for it,” he explained.

On Wednesday morning, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that, in his opinion, NATO’s decisions in regards to Ukraine weren’t enough. “In my opinion, this is absolutely not enough. I hope that in a few years Ukraine will be the full member of our Alliance, of NATO,” he emphasised.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen declared that if Ukraine continued to work on the reforms needed to become a EU member, it would soon find success.

“I am very confident that if they keep this speed, success will be there soon. It is an impressive example to show that you can move forward fast in the EU membership if you fulfil the necessary conditions,” she noted.

President of the European Council Charles Michel and US National Security Council Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat said that the allies plan to announce security guarantees for Ukraine today. According to Michel, they also support the Peace Formula proposed by Zelensky.

Politico reports, citing a leaked internal EU document, that the European Union plans to commit long-term to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities. According to the plan developed by the European External Action Service, the union will aim to ensure a “sustained” flow of weapons to Kyiv, share intelligence, and help connect Ukrainian and EU defence companies.

Bloomberg previously reported, citing sources, that G7 countries were close to reaching an agreement on starting negotiations with Ukraine on bilateral security commitments. According to Bloomberg’s sources, the plans focus on the provision of modern military equipment across air, land and sea. The priority is set to be given to air defence systems, artillery, long-range capabilities, and armoured vehicles.

The Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, is hosting the NATO Summit on 11-12 July. Yesterday, 11 July, NATO countries agreed to abolish the Membership Action Plan requirement to accelerate Ukraine’s accession. The Alliance head Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine would be invited to join NATO once all the allies have agreed and “conditions have been met”.

“We want good governance, we want modern defence and security institutions, and we want armed forces which are interoperable with NATO”, Stoltenberg added. Anti-corruption measures were among the other requirements mentioned for Ukraine’s accession. Stoltenberg also pointed out that Ukraine would be unable to join the Alliance while the war is ongoing.

The inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will take place today, with Zelensky taking part. Yesterday, before the announcement, the Ukrainian president tweeted that the Alliance’s lack of readiness for Ukraine’s membership is a sign of weakness, calling the fact that there has been no timeframe set for Ukraine’s accession or even an invitation into NATO “unprecedented and absurd”. Zelensky’s tweet produced mixed reactions. A senior diplomat told Politico that he did not find Zelensky’s approach to be “thoughtful and fair”, adding that he thought the Ukrainian leader was “going too far”.