The NATO summit gets underway in Vilnius

UPDATED at 1:19 p.m.:

Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit. However, according to him, discussions on formulating have already begun without participation of Ukraine.

"It's unprecedented and absurd – when there are no time frames for an invitation, nor for Ukraine's membership; and when, instead, some strange formulation about "conditions" for even inviting Ukraine is added," the President commented.

He also believes that the Alliance is not ready to either invite Ukraine or make it a member.

"This means there remains the possibility of bargaining Ukraine's NATO membership – in negotiations with russia. For russia, this means a motivation to continue its terror. Indeterminacy is a weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit," Zelensky added.

UPDATED at 12:48 p.m.:

French President Emmanuel Macron, during the summit, announced the transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine. For now, the type of missiles and the volumes and terms of delivery are unknown.

UPDATED at 12:08 p.m.:

Stoltenberg confirmed during a briefing with journalists that Volodymyr Zelensky would attend the formal dinner with NATO leaders.

"I'm pleased to welcome him to tonight's dinner and to the first Ukraine-NATO Council meeting tomorrow," the Secretary General commented.

UPDATED at 11:33 a.m.:

During his speech, Stoltenberg emphasised that at the Inaugural Ukraine-NATO Summit, which is taking place tomorrow, a plan for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance would be proposed.

In the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, the NATO summit has started, which will last on 11 and 12 of July. 

This was stated in the summit's agenda. 

The meeting was opened by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. When asked about Ukraine's invitation to the Alliance, he responded that a "strong and positive" message from NATO awaits Ukraine today. 

"You will see the words and terms that were chosen in just a couple of hours, as we are currently finalising the communique. I have already spoken about some aspects that I believe will be taken into account there, and which the country leaders have to agree on and publish in the communique," the Secretary-General emphasised.

Furthermore, on the first day of the summit, representatives from New Zealand, South Korea, Australia, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will meet.

What was announced on the eve of the NATO summit?

• Stoltenberg stated that at the summit in Vilnius a decision would be adopted that would bring Ukraine closer to NATO. It is anticipated that the Alliance leaders will agree on a compatibility guarantee programme for the Ukrainian Armed Forces with NATO forces.
• Germany will insist on postponing Ukraine's accession to NATO because it fears war with russia. The country suggests focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine, rather than membership proposals.
• Dmytro Kuleba, Head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that a consensus had been reached in NATO on removing MAP (Membership Action Plan) obstacles on Ukraine's path to joining the Alliance. However, later Stoltenberg denied Kuleba's statement – allegedly the discussions are still ongoing.

Background. Mind previously reported on the prospects for Ukraine in NATO in light of Stoltenberg's re-election as Secretary-General of the Alliance. Read more about it in our article.