Ukraine should join NATO as soon as possible and without MAP – Western experts and diplomats
On the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius, 46 reputable Western experts, military officers and diplomats signed a letter calling for Ukraine to be given a roadmap to NATO membership as soon as possible.
Source: European Pravda, referring to Politico
Quote: "In Vilnius, the alliance should launch a roadmap that will lead clearly to Ukraine’s membership in NATO at the earliest achievable date. As with Finland and Sweden, the process can bypass the Membership Action Plan in light of the close and ongoing interactions between NATO and Ukraine."
Details: The authors have noted that Ukraine's stay in a grey zone of uncertainty provokes Russian aggression, while Putin has not yet abandoned his goal of establishing control over Ukraine.
The signatories of the letter have called for measures to be taken to ensure that Ukraine wins the war, regains full control over its internationally recognised 1991 borders, and is a full part of the security and economic arrangements that "made Europe a continent of peace, prosperity and cooperation" from 1945 to 2014.
Quote: "The transatlantic community can only be stable and secure if Ukraine is secure. Ukraine’s entry into NATO, fulfilling the promise made at the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, would achieve that."
More details: They have also noted that NATO Heads of State and Government should make an unequivocal statement of the Alliance's support for Ukraine and Kyiv's desire to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity within the 1991 borders.
Quote: "They should further underscore their readiness to supply Ukraine weapons — including longer-range missiles such as ATACMS, Western fighter planes and tanks — in sufficient quantities to prevail on the battlefield."
More details: In their view, this would demonstrate the Allies' unequivocal commitment to Ukraine's victory and send a clear message to Moscow that its military situation in Ukraine will only deteriorate the longer the conflict continues.
The signatories believe that NATO Heads of State and Government should task the NATO Council in permanent session to develop recommendations on the timing and modalities of Ukraine's accession process for decision at the next NATO Summit in Washington in 2024.
To strengthen Ukraine's security prior to its accession to NATO, the Alliance and Ukraine should establish a deterrence and defence partnership in Vilnius, in which the Allies provide all necessary weapons, training, equipment, intelligence and other support while Ukraine continues to take the necessary steps to accelerate its integration into the Alliance and its command structures.
Background:
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine really needs security guarantees, however, not as an alternative to membership but for the time being, until Ukraine becomes a NATO member.
- According to the German news outlet FAZ, an agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine may be signed before the NATO summit, which will take place on 11-12 July in Vilnius.
Read more on the topic: History Being Made in Vilnius. President Biden to Benefit from NATO Summit No Less than Ukraine
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