The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced that just ahead of the Vilnius NATO summit scheduled for July 11-12, he spoke by phone with Jens Stoltenberg and aligned their positions in preparation for the gathering. The president shared this update through his Telegram channel, signaling a moment of coordinated diplomacy as allied leaders prepared to converge in Lithuania.
In Zelensky’s own words, the exchange was framed as an opportunity to align the core line-up of views before the leaders meet. He stressed that the time was ripe for decisive actions and concrete steps that would move Ukraine closer to its goals within the Euro-Atlantic framework. The dialogue with the NATO secretary general, according to Zelensky, was intended to create a unified approach, ensuring that the alliance could act with clarity and resolve when the Vilnius summit opened its doors to substantive discussions about Ukraine’s path forward.
Expressing appreciation for Stoltenberg, Zelensky thanked the secretary general for his persistent personal efforts to back Ukraine’s aspirations toward Euro-Atlantic integration. He also acknowledged Stoltenberg for his role in guiding the alliance through leadership transitions, underscoring the importance of stable and continuous support at a moment of significant strategic recalibration for both Ukraine and NATO.
Ahead of the declaration, Zelensky noted that Ukraine must achieve tangible battlefield results against Russian forces as a prerequisite for broader NATO engagement during the summit. This emphasis on demonstrable gains reflects Kyiv’s strategy to secure credible assurances and practical steps from NATO, shaping a framework in which military and political support can translate into real-world advantages on the ground.
On the diplomatic track, Igor Zhovkva, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential office, clarified that Zelensky would participate in Vilnius only if Ukraine receives an invitation to join the alliance. This condition illustrates Ukraine’s insistence on formal recognition of its status within the security collective, a critical factor in how Kyiv gauges the value and implications of a potential pathway toward full membership.
Stoltenberg also spoke about the summit’s potential impact, suggesting that the deliberations in Vilnius would bring Ukraine materially closer to NATO. The secretary general’s remarks highlighted the alliance’s intent to keep Ukrainian security needs at the forefront while pursuing a coordinated strategy that aligns with Ukraine’s requests for enhanced defense, interoperability, and political support as it navigates the complex security landscape prompted by the ongoing conflict.
Earlier statements from NATO had outlined Ukraine’s plans and the alliance’s readiness to consider further steps. The evolving dialogue reflects a shared priority: to balance urgent operational needs on the battlefield with longer-term political and strategic commitments that would anchor Ukraine within the Euro-Atlantic security framework. The discussions signal a period of careful negotiation, where outcomes hinge on alignment of political will, practical defense measures, and the willingness of all members to adapt to an uncertain but critical security environment as the Vilnius gathering proceeds.
Citations: Zelensky’s communications relay through official channels; NATO leadership updates and the Ukrainian presidential office briefings provide the context for these exchanges and the broader strategic discourse surrounding the Vilnius summit.