The West's long-term commitment to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with key NATO leaders on July 12 at the alliance's summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, a day after he criticized them for not acting faster to admit Kyiv as a member.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius on July 12.

More aid for Ukraine

In a statement concluding the first day of meetings, NATO leaders said Ukraine's future lies within NATO but only promised to invite it to join when "the allies agree and conditions are met," according to Reuters. Observers believe this commitment is no different from what was made in 2008, and reflects concerns among many NATO members about the possibility of being drawn into a direct conflict with Russia. President Zelensky expressed disappointment and described NATO's hesitation as "absurd."

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However, Ukraine is not expected to leave empty-handed. On the final day of the conference yesterday, the first session of the NATO-Ukraine Council opened. Time magazine quoted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as saying that the council is a platform for Ukraine and NATO members to consult and make joint decisions. It is also a means for Ukraine to convene crisis meetings and strengthen cooperation with NATO. Observers believe that the establishment of this council is an important step for Ukraine's ambitions to join NATO.

In addition, Ukraine has been reassured by a series of security and financial aid commitments from the West. The British government announced yesterday that the G7 group will issue a joint statement on helping Ukraine defeat Russia and prevent similar actions in the future. According to Reuters, a framework will be established for each country to negotiate bilateral agreements with Ukraine on weapons they will provide and other forms of aid such as soldier training, intelligence sharing, and cyber defense. In return, Ukraine will commit to promoting governance and judicial reforms within the country.

"Ukraine's future is in NATO," but the conditions remain unclear.

Russia and China issue warnings.

In response to these moves, the Kremlin warned yesterday that the West's granting of security guarantees to Ukraine was a "very dangerous" act and a violation of Russia's security.

The TASS news agency quoted Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, as saying that the West sending weapons to Ukraine would bring World War III closer. The former Russian president emphasized that Moscow would continue its "special military operation" and maintain its objectives, including preventing Kyiv from joining NATO.

Intense fighting

The Ukrainian military announced on July 12 that the capital Kyiv had been attacked by suicide drones for the second consecutive night. In a Facebook post, Ukraine said it intercepted 11 out of 15 drones. At the same time, Ukraine stated that fierce fighting was taking place in the east and southeast of the country, but that its forces had achieved some success south of Bakhmut in the Donetsk province.

Meanwhile, TASS quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying that Ukraine lost more than 26,000 troops and over 3,000 pieces of heavy military equipment in the counteroffensive since the beginning of June. Ukraine has not commented on this claim.

Former Russian president says NATO aid to Ukraine brings World War III closer.

In an interview with Indonesia's Kompas newspaper during his visit there, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the armed conflict in Ukraine will continue until the West abandons its plan to maintain dominance and ceases its obsession with inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia through Ukraine.

In a related development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin yesterday called on NATO to stop baseless accusations and provocative rhetoric targeting Beijing. The day before, NATO leaders issued a strongly worded statement on the first day of their summit in Lithuania, saying that China had challenged the security, interests, and values ​​of the organization.

The Chinese mission to the European Union (EU) has rejected NATO's statement, while also opposing "NATO's eastward shift towards the Asia-Pacific region." The Chinese mission warned that any actions threatening its rights would provoke a strong response from Beijing.

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