Ukraine receives ‘Israeli’ security guarantees against Russia from Western allies, including the UK and the United States
According to reports, Ukraine could get “Israeli-style” security guarantees from Western allies in its fight against Russia.
The war-torn country, which has been embroiled in a bloody conflict with its eastern neighbor since its illegal invasion in February 2022, could benefit from a long-term plan by the UK, the United States, France and Germany to arm Kiev.
In the run-up to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, talks are well underway to create a plan to help Ukraine, the Telegraph reports.
The legally binding pledge is believed to be accompanied by promises to train Ukrainian troops and share intelligence with Kiev to bring it into line with NATO standards.
This does not equate to full NATO membership, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for, but could be seen as a way for Kiev to get its feet under the table.
Ukrainian marines work on a howitzer in the Donetsk region on Monday during the country’s counter-offensive
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Lviv and Volyn regions of Ukraine on Saturday
The United States and Germany have blocked Ukraine’s attempts to become a full member of NATO, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has suggested a deal similar to Israel’s could be in the works.
Israel is not part of NATO, but it receives billions of pounds in military funding from the United States under an agreement that is renewed every decade between the two countries.
Chancellor Scholz said the Israeli model could play an “important role” in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, the Telegraph reports.
NATO officials have already agreed on an accelerated application process, announced earlier on Monday by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
It means that Ukraine will no longer be required to take part in the club’s membership action plan, a process of major reform required of every potential member.
“After intensive talks, NATO allies have agreed to scrap MAP on the road to membership of Ukraine. I welcome this long-awaited decision that shortens our path to NATO. It is also the best time to clarify the invitation to Ukraine to join,” Kuleba wrote on Twitter.
It marks a diplomatic breakthrough for Ukraine ahead of Zelensky’s presence at the summit in Lithuania.
He told ABC News in an interview that he wants “effective security guarantees” while it waits for full membership.
A senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “the time is not right for an invitation to Ukraine” because of Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of the country.
But the source said the leaders would outline “concrete steps towards membership.”
Lithuanian border guards patrol the metal fence on the border with Belarus on Monday
ATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (center) hosts a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (right)
It comes hours after Turkey backed down from blocking Sweden’s bid to join the military alliance.
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement in a joint statement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swede Ulf Kristersson.
Erdogan said he would urge Turkish MPs to ratify Sweden’s application to join the 31-member mutual defense club “as soon as possible.”
US President Joe Biden, who landed hours earlier in Vilnius, responded to the news by indicating that a deal had been struck on F-16 fighter jets for Turkey.
“I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey to strengthen defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area,” he said in a White House statement.
Earlier, the strong leader had linked the dropping of his opposition to Stockholm’s possible membership to the revival of long-failed accession negotiations with the EU.