Ukraine NATO Membership Talks Impossible... "Leaving Shadows for Putin to Exploit"

NATO Summit Concludes in Washington on the 11th
Disappointment Arises Over Lack of Substantial Progress on Ukraine's Membership
Zelensky to Visit UK Next Week to Meet European Leaders

Disappointment mixed with reactions has emerged as discussions on Ukraine's NATO membership did not take place at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.

On the 12th (local time), The New York Times reported that after the NATO summit concluded on the 11th in Washington, while Ukrainian officials expressed gratitude, a disappointing atmosphere prevailed.

NATO member countries declared at this meeting that Ukraine's NATO membership would be realized. However, contrary to Ukraine's hopes, no substantial progress was made toward NATO membership beyond the leaders' promises. Although there had been forecasts that Ukraine's NATO membership would not be achieved this year, Ukraine cannot hide its disappointment over what it sees as mere verbal promises.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Valeriy Chaly, former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and head of the Ukraine Crisis Media Center, stated in a post-meeting statement, "There will be many opinions, evaluations, and comments about this NATO summit," adding, "Simply put, this summit could have been truly historic, but it was not."

Ukrainian officials expressed gratitude for several countries announcing new weapons support and security agreements but pointed out that the failure to officially invite Ukraine as a NATO member symbolizes the West's indecisive stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former NATO Secretary General and former Prime Minister of Denmark, said in a statement, "Despite the commitment that Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration is irreversible, Ukraine remains trapped in NATO's waiting room," adding, "The only way to show Putin that our commitment is truly irreversible is to start accession talks with Ukraine and admit it to the alliance." He continued, "The leaders should have taken bold measures in Washington, but they left a shadow of doubt that Putin will continue to exploit."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the summit, secured additional weapons support promises from NATO member countries and announced an agreement to establish NATO's security support system for Ukraine, reaffirming the West's unwavering support for Ukraine.

However, regarding President Zelenskyy's request to allow the use of U.S.-supplied weapons to attack Russian territory, U.S. President Joe Biden still showed reluctance, and it is assessed that no decisive change has been made to give Ukraine a winning edge in the war.

At a press conference on the last day of the summit, President Biden said that Ukraine attacking Moscow or other Russian territories "would not be in Ukraine's best interest."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the current situation, the victory of former President Donald Trump, who is skeptical not only about support for Ukraine but also about the NATO alliance itself, in the November presidential election this year could be the worst-case scenario for Ukraine.

In response, President Zelenskyy urged the Western alliance to act swiftly before the return of former President Trump, saying on the 10th, "Everyone, including President Putin of Russia, is waiting for November (the U.S. presidential election)," and "Now is the time to move beyond waiting for November, to make strong decisions and take action."

The Guardian, a British daily, reported that President Zelenskyy, who met with NATO leaders in Washington, plans to visit the United Kingdom next week to deliver a speech before European leaders. According to the report, President Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet European leaders attending a meeting hosted by new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Blenheim Palace in the UK next week.