NATO leaders offered Ukraine an “irreversible path” to joining the military alliance as they gathered for a summit in Washington aimed at bolstering long-term support for Kiev. But such a promise may be mere lip service as a series of obstacles loom.
While leaders declined to give a concrete timetable for Ukraine’s accession, they did outline a series of initiatives and commitments that they said would form a “bridge” to membership.
This includes the creation of a 700-person command in Germany to coordinate the delivery of international security assistance to Ukraine. This NATO-led organization will complement, but not replace, the two-year-old U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which has facilitated the delivery of most military aid and training.
