Biden assures Ukraine of security support in talks with Zelenskyy, G7 leaders.

President Biden Offers Security Assistance to Ukraine at NATO Summit

In a historic meeting with Group of Seven (G7) leaders at the NATO summit, President Joe Biden extended security assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the meeting, where the G7 leaders issued a powerful “Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine” (source).

President Biden emphasized that this declaration signifies a long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense across land, air, and sea, ensuring regional stability and safeguarding against all threats.

Before the summit, the White House hinted at providing “Israel-style” security guarantees to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. This would include various forms of military assistance, intelligence sharing, cyber support, and more, as stated by U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

As part of the joint declaration, each country will individually negotiate long-term bilateral security arrangements with Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that Ukraine has achieved a significant security victory for its people and future generations.

In a separate bilateral discussion, President Biden commended President Zelenskyy’s courage and resilience, acknowledging his frustration with the slow pace of U.S. assistance. However, he assured Ukraine that the United States is working diligently to provide the necessary support as quickly as possible.

Ukraine’s Path to NATO Membership

Following the NATO communiqué released on July 11, President Zelenskyy expressed his frustration with the lack of a specific timeline for Ukraine’s accession to the military alliance.

The communiqué stated that Ukraine can join NATO “when Allies agree and conditions are met.” However, the alliance is demanding further democratic and security reforms from Ukraine before granting membership.

Discussions surrounding Ukraine’s future membership and aid were prominent at the summit, with varying opinions among NATO allies. The United States, Germany, and southern NATO partners have taken a cautious approach, while the Baltic states and Eastern European nations, such as Poland, hold a more assertive stance.

White House Stands by NATO Communiqué

In response to President Zelenskyy’s concerns, the White House defended NATO’s decision, emphasizing that it sends a strong and positive message to Ukraine.

Amanda Sloat, White House National Security Council senior director for Europe, stated that the communiqué is unprecedented but in a positive way. She reaffirmed the commitment to Ukraine’s NATO membership and acknowledged the substantial progress made by Kyiv on its reform path.