8 conclusions from the Vilnius NATO summit: What Ukraine was offered instead of membership or a clear accession plan
The option of collective security, following the Israeli scenario, was informally referred to as 'NATO-light'
On July 11-12, the NATO summit took place in Vilnius, during which Ukraine did not receive an invitation or a schedule for accession to the alliance. This angered President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused NATO countries of showing weakness. In response, Ben Wallace, the Minister of Defence of the United Kingdom, accused Ukraine of ingratitude for the assistance provided by the West.
This exchange of 'courtesies' diverted attention from more significant statements made at the summit concerning Ukraine. NATO leaders promised to provide Kyiv with SCALP cruise missiles, Patriot launcher systems, and guarantee the supply of weapons for years to come.
Mind suggests learning about the positive outcomes of the NATO summit in Vilnius.
Ukraine was not invited, but the process of accession was simplified
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced a package of three elements to support Ukraine's integration into the military alliance.
The first element is a multi-year programme to rebuild Ukraine's defence and security systems to achieve compatibility between Ukrainian and NATO forces. The second element is the creation of a new Ukraine-NATO Consultation Council, which will meet four times a year, with Kyiv participating on equal footing with alliance members. Ukraine has also been exempted from the obligation to fulfil the Membership Action Plan.
"The decision to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan actually means that instead of two steps to become a member, there will now be one step," said Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO summit press conference in Vilnius.
According to him, Kyiv will be able to join NATO "when the time is right and there is agreement among allies". All the northern countries of Europe want to see Ukraine in the alliance. However, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and President of the United States Joe Biden hold a different position. Biden stated his reluctance to link NATO with a country where there is a war and no democracy.
Pacts on long-term bilateral security
At the initiative of Joe Biden, the Group of Seven (G7) countries will strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities in the same way that the United States has been assisting Israel for decades. Currently, the U.S. has a $38 billion agreement with Israel for military aid from 2019 to 2028.
Each G7 country (the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy) will enter into similar binding bilateral agreements with Ukraine to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuild its economy, safeguard its citizens, and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community.
In a joint statement on July 12, G7 leaders pledged to begin discussions on this matter immediately. The bilateral agreements will provide Ukraine with guarantees of supply for air defence systems, artillery, and armoured vehicles. G7 countries will also commit to training the Ukrainian military, providing intelligence support, and jointly developing industrial production.
According to the alliance members' plan, by receiving assistance from NATO countries in an 'Israeli format', Ukraine will be able to independently deter russia and repel any future attacks. British media refers to this decision as 'NATO-light'. It does not burden countries with the obligation to defend Ukraine as a NATO member. Ukraine is also free to abstain from wars in which NATO is engaged that do not take place on its territory.
France's contribution of missiles
French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced that France will join the United Kingdom in providing Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking targets up to 250 km away. Ukraine will be able to launch them from aircraft and destroy russian barracks, depots, and other high-value targets far from the front line.
According to Reuters, Ukraine will receive a "significant number" of 50 SCALP cruise missiles from French stockpiles. Since May 2023, Ukraine has been receiving similar long-range missiles called Storm Shadow from the United Kingdom.
Vehicles and medical centre from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has promised to provide Ukraine with over 70 combat and support vehicles, including combat reconnaissance tracked vehicles, thousands of ammunition rounds for Challenger 2 tanks, and $65 million for the repair of previously supplied military equipment.
Additionally, in the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, it has been announced that a medical rehabilitation centre for Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel will be established on the territory of the kingdom under the auspices of NATO. The medical facility will be funded through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine and will be supported by rehabilitation specialists from member countries of the alliance.
Training on F-16 aircraft
A coalition of 11 countries will begin training Ukrainian pilots and technicians to operate fourth-generation American fighters, including the F-16. In August, a training centre will be operational in Denmark. Another training centre is planned to be built in Romania, according to its President Klaus Iohannis.
The 'aircraft coalition' includes Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden. The initial results of the coalition's work, according to Danish Defence Minister Lund Poulsen, can be seen in early 2024.
Patriots from Germany
The German government has finalised a $770 million military aid package for Ukraine. It includes the supply of two Patriot air defence missile systems from the Bundeswehr's stockpiles, 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Leopard 1A5 tanks, 20,000 artillery ammunition rounds, and 15,000 155 mm smoke shells.
"It’s another huge package [for Ukraine] and altogether, until 2027, we will spend more than €17 billion ($18.7 billion)," said German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at the NATO summit, confirming the intention to "support Ukraine for as long as it takes".
$956 million from Norway
Norway will increase its military support to Ukraine by 2.5 billion Norwegian kroner ($239 million) in 2023, bringing the total to 10 billion Norwegian kroner ($956 million). Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre made this announcement at the NATO summit.
The Kingdom will provide Ukraine with two launchers and other equipment for mobile NASAMS air defence missile systems, 1,000 reconnaissance nano-drones called Black Hornets, and tens of thousands of food rations.
Bushmasters from Australia
On July 12th, the Australian government announced the shipment of 30 Bushmaster wheeled armoured personnel carriers to Kyiv. These vehicles are used for troop transport, patrolling, and providing rapid medical assistance to the wounded. Australia has already delivered 90 such vehicles and provided $710 million in military aid to Ukraine, becoming the largest non-NATO donor.
"They are valued very much by Ukrainian defence force personnel. They have saved their lives just as in the past they have been responsible for saving Australian lives," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the NATO summit in Vilnius.
In late June, Australia announced the supply of 70 other various military vehicles and $110 million worth of 105 mm rounds to Ukraine. During his visits to Europe, Anthony Albanese emphasises that Ukraine is not only fighting for its sovereignty but also for upholding international rules. Australia believes that the war in Ukraine undermines its national security in the interdependent world and pledges to continue supporting Kyiv.
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