 "G7 backs Ukraine’s NATO membership, vows long-term support")
Defence Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies support Ukraine’s ”irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” they said in a statement on Saturday.
The move came days after, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled a five-point plan for the first time this week. The plan includes a call for an immediate NATO invitation with an aim to convey to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow’s invasion will culminate in geopolitical defeat.
”We underscore our intent to continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, including military assistance in the short and long term,” in its conflict with Russia, the G7 ministers said after their meeting in the Italian city of Naples.
NATO has previously declared Ukraine will become a member, but stipulated Kyiv cannot join during wartime as this could precipitate a direct conflict between NATO and Russia. Thus far, alliance leaders have refrained from directly addressing Zelenskyy’s renewed push for an invitation.
With inputs from agencies.