NATO Summit to Accelerate Ukraine’s Membership, Enhance Ties with Indo-Pacific Partners
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
A senior US official has announced that NATO will unveil “concrete ways” to expedite Ukraine’s membership during the upcoming Washington summit, Excel Magazine International has gathered.
The final declaration may declare Ukraine’s path to NATO as “irreversible,” although the wording is still under negotiation.
Douglas Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, confirmed that foreign ministers from 35 non-NATO countries, including Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE, will attend the summit.
Heads of state from NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners – Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand – will also engage in discussions with NATO allies.
Excel Magazine International further learnt the summit will focus on building resilience against Chinese threats, supporting Ukraine, and addressing hybrid and cyber threats.
While a NATO liaison office in Tokyo is not currently under discussion, the summit aims to strengthen cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend, and the US views Ukraine’s future as tied to NATO membership.
The summit will roll out concrete measures to support Ukraine’s defense and reform efforts, accelerating its path to membership.
The Russia-North Korea mutual defense pact will also be discussed, given the implications for transatlantic security.
