Ukraine turns heat on allies as NATO stalls on membership bid
The Hindu
A frustrated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a furious broadside against Ukraine’s NATO allies on July 11 as they began a summit still unsure how to advance Kyiv’s membership bid. Mr. Zelenskyy, who will come to Vilnius during the two-day summit, denounced as “absurd” the reluctance of some NATO leaders to provide a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.
A frustrated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a furious broadside against Ukraine’s NATO allies on July 11 as they began a summit still unsure how to advance Kyiv’s membership bid.
Mr. Zelenskyy, who will come to Vilnius during the two-day summit, denounced as “absurd” the reluctance of some NATO leaders to provide a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.
“Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit,” Mr. Zelenskyy tweeted.
The alliance backs Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s 16-month-old invasion, but several members — notably U.S. President Joe Biden — oppose giving Ukraine a timetable for membership.
Instead, the Vilnius summit is expected to produce more commitments on arms shipments and a reaffirmation that Ukraine’s eventual place is within the alliance once the war is won.
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the G7 group of major industrialised economies would offer a package of support to kick in once “peace is obtained”.
Arriving at the talks, President Emmanuel Macron said France would join Britain in supplying long-range cruise missiles to allow Ukraine to strike Russian targets in depth.
With a new government in place in Delhi, Singapore hopes to schedule the Ministerial Roundtable with India shortly, says Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. In an exclusive interview, he speaks about the impact of the elections on ties, the “missed opportunity” of RCEP and the new buzz around Andhra Pradesh’s capital Amaravati.