The NATO allies are gathered in Washington, DC, for the alliance’s 75th anniversary, with a focus on providing further support for Ukraine as a message to Moscow that support for Kyiv is permanent. The leaders from the 32 NATO nations are expected to make new announcements on air defense for Ukraine, including the provision of Patriot missiles. However, the summit is not a turning point for Ukraine’s potential joining of the alliance, and an invitation for Kyiv to join will not be issued.
A pledge of €40 billion in military contributions for next year and the establishment of a training and security assistance mission for Ukrainian forces will also be announced during the summit. This initiative, tentatively named NSATU, will serve as NATO’s main forum for training and coordinating arms deliveries to Ukraine. The goal is to build a bridge for Ukraine to eventually join NATO when the “moment is right,” according to NATO sources. The initiative will be based in Germany and led by a three-star general with over 700 staff.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be present in Washington, DC, for the summit, where he will hold several bilateral meetings and host a special event with US President Joe Biden for allies and non-NATO partners who have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. Michael Carpenter, Senior Director for Europe at the US National Security Council, emphasized that the announcements during the summit will consolidate support for Ukraine for the long term, sending a strong signal to Putin that support for Ukraine is unwavering.
The need to institutionalize support for Ukraine aims to provide predictable and stable military equipment, avoid future shortfalls, and ensure continued support for Ukraine remains a priority for NATO. Outgoing Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s plan is to guarantee that support for Ukraine is an integral part of NATO’s functions, especially in the face of governments hostile to pro-Ukraine efforts. While there is no consensus on when or how Ukraine might eventually join NATO, several countries, including the US, are eager to ensure Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership.
The summit follows a Russian missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, which the US has called for a war crimes investigation into. NATO sources view this as a deliberate message ahead of the summit, as Putin often tries to overshadow international events with provocative displays of strength. The attack on the hospital in Kyiv has been met with horror and condemnation, with the US emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. Carpenter expressed that the attack was horrific, tragic, senseless, and demanded serious investigation.
Overall, the NATO summit in Washington, DC, is focused on reaffirming support for Ukraine, sending a strong message to Moscow that support for Kyiv is unwavering. The summit aims to institutionalize support for Ukraine, providing stable military equipment, and avoiding future shortfalls in resources. While Ukraine’s path to joining NATO may not be immediate, there is a commitment from several NATO nations, including the US, to ensure Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership. The summit takes place following a tragic attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and support for Ukraine in the face of such atrocities.
