Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed disappointment that Ukraine was not invited to join NATO yesterday, telling supporters in the Lithuanian capital: "Is this too much to wish for?".
"NATO will make Ukraine safer, Ukraine will make NATO stronger," he said in front of thousands of people who gathered in the center of Vilnius, where the summit of NATO leaders is being held, while snipers were on the roofs of buildings.
He thanked Lithuania for its "clear, honest and courageous position" in support of Ukrainian membership. Shortly before his speech, NATO leaders agreed that the alliance would extend Ukraine's invitation to join the military alliance once "members agree and conditions are met."
Zelenski said earlier yesterday that it would be "absurd" if NATO leaders do not offer his country a time frame for membership.
Speaking in Ukrainian, he told the crowd: "I arrived here today believing in the decision, believing in the partners, believing in a strong NATO, in a NATO that does not hesitate, that does not waste time, and that does not shy away from any aggressor".
NATO leaders agreed yesterday that Ukraine's future is in the alliance, but Kyiv was not served with an invitation nor was a timeframe set for membership.
"I would like that belief to become a certainty - a certainty in the decisions that we all deserve and that each of our soldiers expects, each of our citizens, each of our mothers, each of our children. Is that too much of a wish?" he asked.
The President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, who participated in the event, presented Zelenskyi with a riddled Ukrainian flag, which was then raised on the flagpole. The flag was on a Ukrainian tank during the fighting in Bakhmut.
It was brought to Vilnius by a group of 33 Ukrainian and Lithuanian runners as a sign of support for Ukraine as a potential new member of NATO.
"Ukraine is buying us time with its blood, so that we can prepare and respond strongly to Russia," Nauseda told the crowd.
NATO leaders agreed yesterday that Ukraine's future is in the alliance, but Kiev was not given an invitation nor was a timeframe for membership determined, which Ukraine insisted on.
"Ukraine's future is in NATO," the declaration states. "We will be in a position to extend the invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when the allies agree and when the conditions are met."
It is not specified what conditions Ukraine needs to fulfill, but it is stated that the alliance will help Kiev to advance in terms of military interoperability as well as in additional reforms of the democratic and security sector.
Zelenski criticized NATO leaders for not offering a framework for membership. "It is unprecedented and absurd not to set a time frame, neither for the invitation to Uktrajina nor for membership," Zelenski said before addressing the summit as a special guest.
His criticism came after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc would send a "positive message" to Kiev about the path to membership.
When asked about Zelenski's criticism, Stoltenberg said at the press conference: "NATO has never sent a stronger message, whether it is a political message about the path to membership or concrete support from NATO allies." He said that previous accessions to NATO were not accompanied by a time frame: "They were based on conditions, always," he said.
In the declaration, NATO dropped the requirement that Ukraine fulfill the Membership Action Plan, thus removing one of the obstacles to Kyiv's entry.
In a harsh message to Moscow, the declaration states: "The Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to the security of allies and peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area."
Yesterday's declaration highlighted the divisions among the 31 allies, Reuters points out, adding that members from Eastern Europe supported Kiev's position, arguing that Ukraine's entry under NATO's collective security umbrella is the best way to deter Russia from a new attack. Countries like the USA and Germany were more cautious, fearing that in this way NATO could enter into a direct conflict with Russia.
Despite the obvious disappointment in terms of membership, Zelensky still managed to achieve some success. French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris will start sending long-range cruise missiles to Kiev, after Britain announced a similar move.
With a range of 250 kilometers, the missiles will almost triple Ukraine's current capabilities, allowing Kiev to hit Russian troops and supplies deep behind the front lines.
Germany also announced new aid worth 700 million euros, including two Patriot air defense systems, as well as additional tanks and combat vehicles.
The summit also raised the possibility of Sweden joining NATO as a new member after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dropped his objections.
Finland also attended the summit for the first time since becoming a member in April.
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