Ukraine's NATO Membership: Expectations, Urgency, and Security Concerns

Ukraine is hoping for a clear signal of eventual NATO membership at the upcoming NATO leaders' summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, but allies are still negotiating what to offer Ukraine. The US has been trying to lower expectations by focusing on security guarantees rather than immediate membership, given the ongoing conflict with Russia. Ukrainian officials are pushing for an invitation without a fixed date, while also seeking security commitments to deter Russian aggression. However, without a clear commitment, Ukraine may find itself in a similar limbo as after the 2008 NATO summit, and its allies' support could wane over time. The wording of the summit's concluding declaration is still being debated, with the need to counter the notion that frozen conflicts make a country ineligible for membership.