Discussions about the long-term security of Ukraine and its possible admission to NATO were at the heart of two meetings involving Western leaders on Thursday. The Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, joined his NATO counterparts in Oslo to focus on the status of Ukraine and Sweden’s application to join the alliance. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine attended a meeting in Moldova with European leaders from both inside and outside of NATO. Although Ukraine’s potential membership of NATO remains uncertain, the meetings demonstrated the way in which Russia’s invasion of the country has brought the Western nations closer together to expand and strengthen NATO.
Officials are watching for a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive, which could have implications for the ongoing war. Western states, having already spent billions of dollars arming Ukraine, are now focusing on providing longer-term support, including the possibility of providing long-term security guarantees to Ukraine, possibly as a pathway to NATO membership. This goal has been a stated aim of NATO since 2008 and Ukrainian membership was applied for in September 2020.
Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for clear plans for Ukrainian accession to the alliance and binding commitments to providing weapons, military training, intelligence, and sustained investment in Ukraine’s defense industry.
The meetings in Moldova were the second gathering of the European Political Community, which was established last year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Whilst this forum is intended to air political, economic, and security issues, it does not include Russia, which has sought to destabilize Moldova.
One issue discussed at both meetings related to Sweden’s application to join NATO. Although Sweden has abandoned its long-standing policy of neutrality, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has rejected its bid. Hungary has also not given its approval, but Western officials hope that the withdrawal of Erdogan’s opposition, following his recent election victory, may lead to a change of heart. However, Turkey may be seeking approval from the US to buy fighter jets and upgrade its fleet, and the US Congress must approve such a deal.
