President Joe Biden declared during a speech in Vilnius, Lithuania, ahead of his anticipated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that "Ukraine's future lies in NATO."
He emphasized that the members of NATO would continue to provide security to Ukraine in the long term. However, the White House had previously stated that Ukraine's membership in NATO was "aspirational" in 2021.
Biden spoke about the newly formed NATO Ukraine Council, stating, "I just concluded the first meeting of NATO Ukraine Council." He further explained, "And weall our allies agreedthe future of Ukraine lies in NATO. That's not a surprise to any of us, I don't think. I hope it's no surprise to you, Mr. President."
The President also mentioned that the allies had agreed to lift the requirements for Ukraine's Membership Action Plan and create a path to NATO membership as long as Ukraine continued to make progress on necessary reforms. He emphasized that the long-term commitments being made to Ukraine were not dependent on the completion of this process. Biden discussed the guarantees that could be provided to Ukraine in the meantime, stating, "And so today, the long-term commitments we're making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, we're going to provide security to Ukraine, for its needs and against any aggression that may occur."
In addition to the commitments made by NATO, Biden announced that the members of the G7 were launching a joint declaration of support for Ukraine. He stated, "Today, the members of the G7 are launching a joint declaration of support for Ukraine and to make it clear that our support will last long into the future. This starts the process by which each of our nations, and any other nation who wishes to participate, will negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine."
Biden emphasized the United States' commitment to helping Ukraine build a strong and capable defense across land, air, and sea. He expressed gratitude to his fellow G7 leaders and President Zelensky for their work in making these commitments possible. Biden stated, "I want to thank my fellow G7 leaders and President Zelensky for their work to make this happen. I think it's a powerful statement, powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine, as it defends its freedom today, and as it rebuilds the future. We're gonna be there as long as that takes."
President Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the security guarantees provided by NATO and the G7. He acknowledged the importance of these commitments in defending Ukraine's freedom and rebuilding its future.
In March 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the issue of Ukraine's defense and its relationship with NATO. She stated, "When I was in Poland, I met with US and Polish service members, thanking them for standing with our NATO allies for freedom, peace, and security.
The United States stands firmly with the Ukrainian people in defense of the NATO alliance." However, her initial remarks were later altered amid controversy over the wording, as her original statement implied that defending Ukraine and defending NATO were synonymous.
NATO has been considering Ukraine's membership in the alliance for several years. In 2018, NATO demanded that Ukraine implement anti-corruption measures and provided a framework for how to do so. Although Ukraine expressed willingness to make the necessary changes, an invitation to bid for membership was not extended at that time.
Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine has been engaged in a conflict with Russia and continues to seek the return of the territory. President Petro Poroshenko signed a constitutional amendment in 2019 committing Ukraine to securing NATO membership, considering it a "strategic mission."
While the U.S. signaled support for Ukraine's bid for NATO membership in 2021, concerns were raised about the potential for Russian aggression if Ukraine were to join the alliance. Both Ukraine and Georgia, which also aspires to NATO membership, were recognized as part of the USSR by the United States, and both regions have close ties to Russia and its people.
The Washington Post highlighted the potential consequences of NATO expansion into the former Soviet space, stating, "Few things could wound Russian pride more than this proposal for NATO expansion into the heart of the former Soviet space. Russia would surely respond with hostility perhaps with deniable covert attacks that would make it hard for NATO to decide whether to respond yet leave Ukraine and/or Georgia at risk."
If Ukraine were to join NATO while actively defending its territory against invaders, Article Five of the alliance would be triggered, requiring all NATO states to enter into war to defend Ukraine.
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