Correspondence from Vilnius// The Ukrainian president has criticized NATO because of its position towards Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday denounced NATO negotiators for balking at offering Kyiv a concrete path to joining NATO in a draft communiqué being hammered out at an alliance summit, Politico writes.
The alliance’s leaders are gathering in the Lithuanian capital for a two-day summit, and Ukraine’s bid to join NATO is the most sensitive item on the agenda.
NATO allies are seeking a compromise that would both send Ukraine a public signal that it is moving closer to the alliance and placate allies — in particular Washington and Berlin — who are hesitant about making promises right now that would make post-war membership automatic.
But the Ukrainian leader, who is expected to attend the summit in Vilnius, is pushing for more.
“It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance,” he wrote. “This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.”
U.S. President Joe Biden told NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday that he agrees “with the language you proposed relative to the future of Ukraine joining NATO.”
The Ukrainian leader’s tweet did raise eyebrows in Vilnius.
“I am critical of many aspects and particularly of some allies’ attitude, but I think that this is not a thoughtful and fair approach,” said one senior diplomat from Central Europe, adding that Zelenskyy “is going too far.”
Some diplomats said they understand the Ukrainian leader’s feelings.
“His frustration is understandable given Russia’s war of aggression,” said the first senior NATO diplomat. “It is always for allies to agree the communiqué. The summit will show steadfast and unwavering support for Ukraine.”
A second senior NATO diplomat added: “We respect everything he says. Because they are in the middle of a war and it is only understandable that they have the highest expectations.”
While eastern flank NATO countries want to send a clear signal to Kyiv about a path to membership during the summit, Washington and Berlin have been more cautious, preferring to focus on helping Ukraine fend off Russia now.
