Stoltenberg: Ukraine Is Moving Closer To NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking after the conclusion of a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels, has indicated that "Ukraine is moving closer to NATO in practical terms," and indicated that he is "confident" that "consensus will be found," on how to "move Ukraine closer to NATO," at the July 11-12, NATO Summit in Vilnius.

• Stoltenberg: "We are working towards creating Ukraine-NATO council... in the new council Ukraine will be equal to the NATO member states."
• Stoltenberg: "When war ends we need a framework that ensures Ukraine's future security."
• Stoltenberg's comments are the most overt suggestion so far that NATO leadership is preparing to formalize an agreement for Ukraine's NATO accession after months of downplaying the prospect.
• US President Joe Biden indicated this week, after a meeting with Stoltenberg at the White House, that he is “open” to clearing the path for Ukraine’s NATO membership after the war via a Membership Action Plan but declined to provide clarity on a timeline.
• Any such agreement on Ukraine's NATO membership is likely to provoke a robust response from Russia, which may include a broader mobilisation of Russian troops to the frontline.