Ukraine wants security guarantees, accession timeline at NATO Summit in Vilnius, Zelenskyy advisor
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The NATO Summit in Vilnius would be the best opportunity to respond to Ukraine's membership application, which it submitted in September 2022.
"It cannot simply sit on the table without consideration. We certainly want specific decisions at the Vilnius summit,” said Zhovkva.
“We are currently discussing with the NATO Secretary General and each of our allies what the summit decision could be. It must be something more than just a mantra about open doors or a repetition of the decisions of the NATO Bucharest Summit."
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Zhovkva added that he cannot disclose the options being discussed, but he believes it is important that member states of the Alliance have no doubt that Ukraine will certainly join NATO.
"We are realists and understand that a final decision on Ukraine's accession to the Alliance will simply not be made until we achieve victory. But until the final accession of Ukraine to NATO, we need effective security guarantees.”
“They are needed today, during the war, even before its end, and even more so after victory.”
The diplomat emphasized that this does not replace the need to join the Alliance, nor is it a substitute for Article 5, which is Ukraine’s ultimate guarantee of security.
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Ukraine is currently in discussions with its partners to obtain clear steps for inviting Ukraine into the alliance and for what security guarantees the country can expect while it waits for accession. Ukraine wants a vocal commitment of these steps announced at the Vilnius Summit.
Ukraine had conversations with the Prime Minister of Estonia on April 24, and they will continue speaking with their other partners.
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