Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store expects NATO to recognize Ukraine’s desire for membership but stop short of inviting the country this year during the Washington Summit. He shared these insights with reporters at the event, adding that although there won’t be a formal invitation, the communique would allude to such an eventuality.
A leaked draft of the communique suggests that Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” to NATO membership, and demands that China cease supporting Russia, according to Reuters. The alliance also plans to provide Kiev with at least €40 billion ($43.3 billion) in aid over the next year, establish a mechanism for coordinating military aid deliveries, and train Ukrainian troops. The draft states that an invitation to join the bloc will be issued “when allies agree and conditions are met.
This mirrors the language used at last year’s summit in Vilnius when the government in Kiev expressed frustration at the lack of a formal invitation. Ukraine’s President, Vladimir Zelensky, had accused NATO of weakness and cowardice on social media at that time.
In addition to membership recognition, Store confirmed Norway’s plans to donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which are expected to arrive sometime this year. The Prime Minister initially promised the jets last August but did not specify the number or a delivery schedule until now.
Russia has warned NATO that its continued financial and military support for Ukraine would only prolong the conflict without altering the outcome, while increasing the risk of direct confrontation. However, NATO maintains that its support for Kiev does not make it a party to the hostilities.