NATO members are set to offer Ukraine an upgraded relationship format, in a move meant to show political support for the war-torn country and its membership bid, although any concrete roadmap for accession still remains a more distant prospect, Euractiv reports.
Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, made eight months ago, has so far remained unanswered, but is likely to be a key focus of the alliance’s Vilnius Summit in July. Meanwhile, the idea to upgrade Ukraine’s status with the alliance is gaining support.
Both sides currently meet in the NATO-Ukraine Commission, which directs cooperative activities and provides a forum for consultation between the NATO members and Ukraine on security issues of common concern.
As EURACTIV reported in March, NATO countries are looking to upgrade Ukraine’s status in its relationship by setting up a “Ukraine-NATO Council”.
This idea has gained traction and would be a signal to also show an upgrade in relations, several NATO diplomats told EURACTIV.
It would be the first move in “enhancing the political partnership” between the alliance and Kyiv since the war started and Ukraine applied for membership, two NATO diplomats said.
NATO foreign ministers are set to meet in Oslo next week where they are expected to discuss the shape and the timeline of the new council and future membership, as well as the need for more military aid to Ukraine as it prepares for its summer offensive against Russia.
