On the first day of the NATO SUMMIT, member countries decided that Ukraine will be invited to join the alliance, but when the conditions are met, a clause that President Zelensky did not appreciate.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed three decisions made by the members regarding Ukraine. Firstly, the implementation of a multi-air defense system program to bring Ukraine's existing Soviet-era system up to NATO standards.
Secondly, the establishment of a council for consultation and decision-making. And thirdly, the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO.
Let's hear what the member countries have decided regarding Ukraine's entry into NATO.
He added that the conditions also refer to a second dimension, in reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Ukrainian forces have shown courage, skills, and abilities that have impressed the world, but at the same time, there is a full-scale war," he commented.
He emphasized that the importance of the agreed declaration in Vilnius lies in providing "the tools to ensure that Ukraine moves closer to membership." He highlighted that, for the first time in a NATO summit statement, the term "invitation" is included as part of the language to discuss Ukraine, and the requirement for a "Membership Action Plan" (MAP) for Ukraine's future entry has been removed.
Another significant achievement of the summit has been the lifting of Turkey's veto on Sweden's entry into the alliance, which was the last obstacle to overcome for the Nordic country's accession to NATO.