Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Vilnius on Monday for a pivotal summit with the leaders of NATO’s eastern and Nordic members, who have emerged as some of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters amid the ongoing Russian invasion. The summit is significant as it underscores the military alliance’s commitment to bolstering defenses in Eastern Europe since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. This period has seen Finland and Sweden reassessing their security policies to seek membership in NATO, further solidifying the collective defense framework.
The gathering includes the Bucharest Nine, which comprises NATO members from Eastern and Central Europe, alongside Nordic representatives, providing a platform for Zelensky to engage with key allies. According to Zelensky’s spokesman, the Ukrainian leader is expected to hold “bilateral meetings” during the summit in a bid to strengthen alliances and coordinate further support for Ukraine.
The summit takes place just ahead of a full NATO meeting scheduled for later in June in The Hague, where Zelensky has insisted on his invitation. He emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s presence at the NATO summit, stating, “If Ukraine is not present at the NATO summit, it will be a victory for Putin, but not over Ukraine, but over NATO.” This statement reflects his concern over the implications for collective security and shared commitments within the alliance.
A key aspect of Zelensky’s agenda is to secure security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire or peace deal with Russia—an approach that has been met with resistance from the Kremlin, which regards such guarantees as “unacceptable.”
The eastern members of NATO, particularly the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia— all of which are former Soviet republics—are particularly vocal about their concerns regarding potential Russian aggression, underscoring their need for reinforced security measures. These nations have been at the forefront of advocating for Ukraine and have consistently cautioned against the threat posed by Moscow.
Additionally, former US President Donald Trump has previously exerted pressure on NATO’s European members to enhance their defense spending, raising anxieties regarding the commitment of the United States to protect its European allies in the current geopolitical climate.
This summit is seen as a critical juncture for both NATO and Ukraine as they navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the evolving security landscape in Europe.
