NATO summit takes off as Stoltenberg touts 'strong decision' on Ukraine.

NATO allies will make a "strong decision" on Ukraine's membership bid and confirm it will enter the Alliance, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said[1] in his opening remarks on July 11 at the NATO public forum, which is part of the Vilnius summit. "I am confident that we will make a strong and united decision on Ukraine, both to sustain and to step up our support. I'm also confident...that Allies will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member," he said.

The NATO chief reminded[2] that Kyiv should receive a three-part package to bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance. This will include ensuring full interoperability between the Ukrainian military and NATO forces, the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and reaffirming that Ukraine will eventually join the Alliance. Stoltenberg emphasized NATO's commitment to aid Ukraine's war efforts as it faces heavy Russian resistance during the ongoing counteroffensive.

He also noted that Ukrainian troops are gaining ground despite the difficulties. Regarding the controversial decision by the U.S. to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions[3], Stoltenberg pointed out that Kyiv plans to use the new arms to defend its own country. "Cluster munitions have been used by both sides in this war," he said. "The difference is that Russia is using cluster munitions to invade another country, to occupy Ukraine, whereas Ukraine is using cluster munitions to defend against Russian aggression."

The secretary-general added that since Ukraine is running out of conventional ammunition and NATO members do not yet have sufficient capacities to refill Kyiv's stocks, the allies must help the besieged country in any way they can.

Editorial: A smart NATO would seek Ukraine's accession Editor's note: Editorials are articles that present the opinion of the editorial team of the Kyiv Independent. When one looks at the history of the West supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia, one pattern shines through: missed opportunities.

The whole war is ripe with opportunity for NATO...

[4] Martin Fornusek

News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He also volunteers as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukrainer.

Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

References

  1. ^ said (www.youtube.com)
  2. ^ reminded (kyivindependent.com)
  3. ^ cluster munitions (kyivindependent.com)
  4. ^ Editorial: A smart NATO would seek Ukraine's accessionEditor's note: Editorials are articles that present the opinion of the editorial team of the Kyiv Independent.

    When one looks at the history of the West supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia, one pattern shines through: missed opportunities.

    The whole war is ripe with opportunity for NATO... (kyivindependent.com)

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