Poland foresees that the Vilnius NATO summit will illuminate Ukraine’s path toward alliance membership, said Elżbieta Witek, the Speaker of the Polish Sejm, during a visit to Riga on Monday. She argued that Ukraine’s entry into NATO is essential for Europe’s security and stability.
Polish Speaker in Latvia
Speaker Witek has been in Latvia since Sunday. On Monday she joined a working breakfast in Riga with parliamentary leaders from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Germany, including Viktorija Čmilytė-Nilsenė, Lauri Hussar, Edvards Smiltēns, Baerbel Bas, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, head of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada. Following the meeting, the group released a joint statement urging allied states to establish a rapid path for Ukraine’s accession and to back Kyiv’s peace plan proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Witek underscored the importance of inviting Ukraine to every high-level gathering, arguing that Europe’s security hinges on the swift resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
During the press conference, she also explained Poland’s outreach to African diplomats to counter disinformation from Russia, stressing the potential risk if Moscow expands influence on the continent. The marshal added that misinformation poses real challenges for European security and must be addressed head on.
Poland Expects Concrete Outcomes for Ukraine at Vilnius
In Riga, Witek reiterated that the Vilnius summit is expected to provide Ukraine with explicit information about the steps toward NATO membership. She noted that Ukraine’s inclusion remains a vital factor for European security, pointing to Kyiv’s military training and operations since 2014 as part of the alliance’s broader security framework.
According to Witek, the most crucial guarantee of regional safety would be the immediate delivery of advanced weapons to Ukraine, enabling its armed forces to sustain and expand their capabilities. She emphasized that Ukraine’s soldiers have demonstrated resilience and proficiency with modern equipment and should continue to do so in the ongoing defense of their country.
She also announced plans for a follow-up meeting in Warsaw after the summit to discuss the next steps, signaling Poland’s ongoing commitment to coordinating allied support.
Joint Statement and Regional Unity
Latvian Parliament Speaker Smiltēns stressed that the joint declaration reflects regional unity in backing Ukraine. He invited NATO members to commit to Ukraine’s accession and to begin outlining a practical pathway for this process. The document also called for timely and tangible support to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities, including essential arms and ammunition, to defend territorial integrity and to bolster EU-NATO security cooperation.
Voices from the Baltic and Beyond
Lithuania’s parliamentary leader Viktė Czmilytė-Nielsen urged allies to fortify NATO’s eastern flank, not just in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine but also to contend with Belarus’s unpredictable actions. She highlighted ongoing regional infrastructure collaborations as a sign of solidarity and shared strategic interests.
Estonia’s parliamentary speaker Lauri Hussar urged accountability for those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine, calling for justice and accountability as a cornerstone of a durable peace.
Stefanchuk on Ukraine’s NATO Path
Ruslan Stefanchuk, head of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, stressed that a vast majority of Ukrainians support membership in NATO. He described Ukraine as a society seeking peace and security, viewing NATO as a guarantor for the country’s future. He thanked regional leaders for their unified stance and their solidarity with Ukraine during the ongoing war.
Stefanchuk expressed optimism about a strong, unambiguous message emerging from the Vilnius summit. He affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to pursuing full membership in both NATO and the European Union and noted the importance of unity among allied democracies as a guiding beacon for freedom, peace, and democracy. The Ukrainian leader concluded by stating that the alliance’s support remains a vital source of hope for the country and the wider world.
[citation: wPolityce]