President Zelensky’s recent “victory plan” includes a key goal of NATO membership for Ukraine, but despite this, the alliance has no immediate plans to offer an official invitation to Kyiv. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith reiterated NATO’s unchanged position on Ukraine’s membership during a recent press conference. While affirming Ukraine’s path to eventual membership, Smith stated that an official invitation is not imminent. Zelensky’s plan also emphasizes the need for Western long-range weapons to be used inside Russian territory to disable their military infrastructure. Ukraine has specifically requested additional support from NATO partners, including air defense systems, artillery, ammunition, and armored vehicles. In a call with President Zelensky, US President Joe Biden announced a $425 million arms package for Ukraine, which includes air defense and armored vehicles. The ongoing discussions and efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities remain a top priority for both Ukraine and its allies.
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US Diplomat: No NATO Invite or Policy Change on Long-Range Weapons Expected Soon
