The US and its NATO allies are set to announce a package of measures to provide military, political, and financial support for Ukraine, as stated by a Biden official.
During the upcoming annual summit in Washington, NATO will introduce a plan to assist Ukraine in preparing to take on the responsibilities of membership in the alliance.
This plan does not guarantee immediate membership but aims to establish a command structure that ensures Ukraine’s full integration into NATO if it does become a member, according to a senior Biden administration official on July 5.
Allies will reiterate their support for Ukraine’s future in NATO and will announce significant enhancements in military, political, and financial aid for the country, the official added.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy known as the “bridge to membership,” which aims to help Ukraine seamlessly assume military obligations within NATO upon joining.
Despite Ukraine’s longstanding desire to join NATO, approval for membership is currently unlikely due to the need for a unanimous vote from all member states and compliance with governance and territorial integrity standards for new members.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made preventing Ukraine’s NATO accession a primary objective. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin has emphasized demilitarizing Ukraine and enforcing its neutrality in international affairs.
President Joe Biden has previously indicated that Ukraine’s NATO membership is a matter of when, not if. Consequently, the US and several allies will work to formalize Ukraine’s military ties to NATO through bilateral security agreements next week.
The US plans to assist Ukraine with training coordination, equipment logistics, and overall support, with a focus on defense, institution-building, and interoperability with NATO, along with a financial commitment.
The Biden administration and its allies are prioritizing the establishment of a robust institutional framework to address Ukraine’s security needs, amid concerns that a potential second Trump administration could disrupt weapon supplies to Ukraine.
The official highlighted a positive shift in NATO member contributions towards defense spending, with the number of nations meeting the two percent GDP target increasing from nine to 23 since the start of the Biden administration.
NATO’s 75th annual summit is scheduled for July 9.
