NATO leaders set to offer Ukraine major support package but membership is off the table for now
CTV
NATO leaders will agree next week to help modernize Ukraine's armed forces, create a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organization's top civilian official said Friday. But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.
NATO leaders will agree next week to help modernize Ukraine's armed forces, create a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organization's top civilian official said Friday. But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.
At a two-day summit starting Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defense spending as allies pour weapons, ammunition and other support like uniforms and medical equipment into Ukraine, 17 months into the war.
They also had hoped to welcome Sweden as the next member of the world's biggest security organization, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised strong objections and it's unclear if they can be overcome in time. Even if so, Sweden's accession would become official only in coming months.
"For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide NATO," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Friday. "At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger, and set out a vision for its future."
Stoltenberg said the leaders "will agree a multi-year program of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and NATO."
A NATO-Ukraine Council -- where crisis talks can be held -- will be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky will attend the council's first meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday
Stoltenberg said the leaders "will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal." NATO first pledged that Ukraine would become a member one day in 2008, but things have evolved little since then.
A federal gun case against U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter opened Monday with jury selection, following the collapse of a plea deal that would have avoided the spectacle of a trial so close the 2024 election. First lady Jill Biden was seated in the front row of the courtroom, in a show of support for her son.