Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that even before the Vilnius NATO summit, Poland proposed to NATO that Ukraine receive formal security assurances. This initiative was reported by DEA News. The president emphasized that the discussion aims to establish a concrete framework of guarantees, crafted with partners, to strengthen Ukraine’s security from the outset of ongoing processes and to shape a clearer path for Ukraine’s security prospects in the long run.
According to Duda, Poland intends to pursue these studies in collaboration with allied nations, exploring options that could accompany Kyiv on its journey toward eventual intensified integration with the alliance. The aim is to consider a stepwise approach that would reinforce Ukraine’s defense posture and deter potential aggression while NATO members assess future trajectories related to Ukraine’s security commitments.
Earlier remarks from Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda highlighted that attaining full NATO membership for Ukraine will not be easy amid the current crisis. Nevertheless, he underscored that Western partners must provide credible security guarantees to Kyiv as a practical means of sustaining Ukraine’s stability and resilience during a period of instability in the region.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly pressed for clearer signals from the alliance about open doors for Ukraine and a path toward membership or enhanced security collaboration. The ongoing dialogue reflects Kyiv’s desire for predictable security assurances that would complement domestic reforms and regional defense efforts.
Prior to these discussions, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that the alliance would convene its next summit with key issues on the agenda, underscoring continued international attention on Ukraine and Europe’s collective security architecture. The Vilnius gathering was anticipated to address the balance between credible guarantees, alliance readiness, and the political timelines that would guide Ukraine’s future cooperation with NATO. These conversations occur against a backdrop of broader strategic considerations about European security architecture and the role of transatlantic partnerships in deterring aggression and preserving regional stability.