Zelensky Seeks Clarity On NATO As Meeting With Scholz Gets Underway

Reuters reporting that a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in underway at the NATO summit in Vilnius, with the Ukrainian leader likely to press Scholz on moderating his opposition to Kyiv's NATO membership.

• NATO leaders issued a cautiously worded statement yesterday which failed to deliver a timeline for Ukraine's membership in NATO, even after resolution of the war with Russia.
• Germany and the US are widely viewed as leading the opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership, believing the risk of expanding the conflict with Russia outweighs the deterrent benefits of Ukraine joining the alliance.
• Zelensky will likely soften a combative tone, which was reportedly especially poorly received amongst the US delegation, and escalate calls for long-term security assistance in lieu of a NATO membership timeline.
• Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius yesterday announced a ~€686 million aid package to Ukraine, including, "40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, five Bergepanzer 2 tank recovery vehicles, as well as two launch units for the Patriot air defense system... 20,000 rounds of artillery shells, and anti-drone, and anti-mine systems," according to Politico.