The leaders of the 31 member states said in their communique' that Ukraine would receive an invitation "when allies agree and conditions are met" and there would be regular reviews of the country's progress toward meeting NATO standards on democracy and military integration.
The debate has again exposed differences among Western allies that have emerged throughout the war, with European states closest to Russia pushing for more and faster support for Ukraine and the Biden administration opting for a more deliberate approach.
The language is considerably weaker than what President Zelensky has said is necessary amid Russia's invasion. Earlier the Ukrainian leader had repeated his frustration over the lack of clarity from NATO, calling it "absurd" and adding, "Uncertainty is weakness." Later, arrived in Vilnius, he appeared to soften his tone, telling a crowd that he had come to Lithuania with "faith in partners" and in a strong NATO that "does not hesitate".
Zelensky also referred to the conditions that Ukraine must meet to accede to NATO, described these as vague or unclear.
"The absolute majority of our people expect specifics about these conditions. We perceive them as security conditions. We understand that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO while the war is ongoing. But then it will be our common strength when Ukraine joins the Alliance," he said.
In response to this, the British Secretary of State for Defence suggested Ukraine needed to put more emphasis on saying "thank you" for western help.
"Whether we like it or not, people want to see a bit of gratitude," Ben Wallace said.
Wallace revealed that he had travelled to Ukraine last year to be presented with a "shopping list of weapons".
"You know, we're not Amazon. I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list."
What results?
At this week's Summit in Vilnius, the Alliance kicked the can down the road once more by inviting Ukraine to join in the future, while denying it entry in the immediate term.
"As President Biden noted, bringing Ukraine into the Alliance now while we're in Vilnius would bring NATO into war with Russia," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, later adding that Ukraine still "has further steps to take along its reform path" before accession to the Alliance.
Ukraine and its most ardent supporters, meanwhile, have demanded the Alliance offer it membership, or at least a clear path to it. More cautious leaders, like French President Emmanuel Macron, have proposed to offer Kyiv vaguer security guarantees instead - meaning some type of promise to protect Ukraine if it is attacked again. And despite stating that Ukraine is not yet ready for inclusion in NATO, United States President Joe Biden insists on maintaining an open door for its membership in the future.
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