Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmitry Kuleba, emphasized that Kyiv is seeking a clear timeline for joining the NATO alliance, pointing to the Vilnius summit in July as a pivotal moment. He spoke at the opening of an international security conference focused on the Black Sea, an event organized by Romania and Ukraine under the banner of the International Crimean Platform. The minister stressed that the gathering is about more than promising access; it is about delivering a concrete, well-defined path for Ukraine’s membership within the alliance.
Kuleba framed Vilnius as a crossroads where past missteps can be addressed and where decisive actions can be set in motion. He urged NATO leaders to make it unmistakably clear not only that the doors to alliance membership are open but also when and by what process Ukraine will move through those doors. The goal, in his view, is to translate aspirational language about alliance openness into an actionable timetable and a transparent sequence of steps toward membership.
In related remarks, former British prime minister Liz Truss voiced support for accelerating Ukraine’s path to NATO. She suggested that a faster process should be launched and indicated support for providing Ukraine with additional defensive capabilities, including equipment and training from Western partners, to bolster Kyiv’s resilience while the alliance evaluates next steps.
Meanwhile, Karine Jean-Pierre, who previously served as White House press secretary, said that any decision on Ukraine’s potential entry should be a collaborative one among NATO members. The United States and its allies are expected to coordinate closely to ensure that any move aligns with collective security interests and the political realities within the alliance.
Prior to these statements, the Lithuanian Parliament, known as the Seimas, unanimously endorsed inviting Ukraine to take part in NATO discussions at the alliance’s Vilnius summit scheduled for July 11–12. The decision signals broad parliamentary support for Ukraine’s move toward eventual membership and underscores the expectation that allied leaders will outline a clear agenda and milestones during the summit. The endorsement reflects the prevailing view in several allied capitals that Ukraine’s security situation and reform progress warrant serious consideration of a formal track toward alliance membership, even as discussions about timing continue to evolve. In this light, Kyiv’s future in NATO is likely to be framed around concrete benchmarks, ongoing reforms, and sustained political consensus among member states. The coming weeks are expected to bring intensified dialogue on how to balancing rapid security needs with the alliance’s strategic patience and deliberation, ensuring that any commitment remains credible and backed by allied capitals and their national constituencies. At stake is not only military support but a durable, predictable framework for Ukraine’s future relationship with the alliance, anchored in shared defense principles and regional stability. [Citation: statements from the attendees of the Baltic and Black Sea security forum and parliamentary actions in Vilnius, as reported by regional observers]”}