**Ukraine’s Path to NATO Confirmed at Vilnius Summit**
In a strong show of support, Ukraine’s allies have reaffirmed the country’s irreversible path to joining NATO. The Bucharest Nine and Northern European countries met in Vilnius, Lithuania on June 2 for a summit aimed at boosting cooperation along NATO’s eastern flank and discussing support for Ukraine ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.
At the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed participants on the Security Service of Ukraine’s Web operation, which targeted four Russian military airfields. The drone strikes damaged 41 aircraft, including strategic bombers, demonstrating the importance of technological superiority in modern warfare. This unprecedented special operation was hailed as a game-changer by Swedish politician Carl Bildt, who said that even James Bond movies couldn’t have imagined something like this.
**Russia’s Threats Ignored**
Despite Russia’s repeated demands to halt Ukraine and other neighboring countries’ NATO membership, the Bucharest Nine and Northern European countries have chosen to ignore these ultimatums. Instead, they pledged continued political, military, economic, and humanitarian support to Ukraine in pursuit of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.
**NATO Secretary General Warns of Russia’s Growing Threat**
In a statement at the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia remains a long-term threat to NATO. He noted that Russia is rapidly building its military potential and working closely with China, North Korea, and Iran. To address these threats, NATO allies must increase defense spending and strengthen the defense industry.
**Timeline for Ukraine’s Membership Not Set**
While Ukraine’s path to NATO membership has been confirmed, no timeline has been set. However, this development sends a clear signal of NATO’s unity amid rising Russian threats to the Baltics and Poland. The choice of Vilnius as the venue for the summit was seen as a deliberate attempt to demonstrate NATO’s commitment to the region.
**Summit Declaration Condemns Russia’s Aggression**
The declaration adopted at the summit condemned any form of support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, calling for an end to all aid enabling it from China, Iran, and North Korea. This is a clear message that the international community will not tolerate Russian aggression.
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