Ukraine Sees NATO as Security Bedrock Despite Summit Disappointments

Olena Kondratyuk, a key figure in Ukrainian politics as Vice-President of the Verkhovna Rada, reflected on the recently concluded NATO summit with a measured mix of disappointment and resolve. She emphasized that while the gathering fell short of Ukraine’s most ambitious expectations, the alliance remains the most important security guarantor for Kyiv. Kondratyuk’s stance underscores a broader reality: Ukraine views NATO not merely as a political option but as a concrete framework for steady military and strategic support. The message she conveyed was clear—NATO’s presence is indispensable, even when the summit’s tone and outcomes do not fully satisfy Kyiv’s immediate desires for decisive action or a formal invitation to move to deeper alliance status. This nuance matters because it signals to partners and adversaries alike that Ukraine will interpret security commitments through a pragmatic lens, prioritizing reliability over rhetoric. The underlying point remains: stability comes from predictable, long-term protection rather than short-term pacts that lack tangible steps. In this context, Kondratyuk urged allies to balance prudent diplomacy with visible, reliable measures that reinforce Ukraine’s defensive posture across land, air, and sea.