Turkey has agreed to support Sweden’s NATO application. Erdogan spent months blocking Sweden’s application because of accusations that Sweden hosts Kurdish militants. Now, apparently, Erdogan has changed course and NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg confirmed the decision as members gathered for the alliance’s summit in Vilnius. Stoltenberg said that Erdogan will send Sweden’s bid for membership to parliament in Ankara and “ensure ratification.”

Sweden is happy. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said, “I am very happy, it is a good day for Sweden.”

Not so much, though, for President Zelensky and Ukraine’s desire to be admitted into the NATO alliance. Zelensky decided to attend the summit after hearing Joe Biden’s statements during a recent interview with CNN. Biden said that Ukraine’s NATO’s membership should remain on the table until the war ends. Zelensky was reported to be “unsettled” over that comment.

On Sunday, President Biden made it clear that NATO membership for Ukraine should remain of the table until the war ends, saying during a taped interview that aired Sunday that “I don’t think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war.”

“For example, if you did that, then, you know – and I mean what I say – we’re determined to commit every inch of territory that is NATO territory,” Biden said. “It’s a commitment that we’ve all made no matter what. If the war is going on, then we’re all in war. We’re at war with Russia, if that were the case,” he told CNN.

Zelensky will meet with Biden Wednesday. He plans to make his case for expedited membership. He is bothered by the uncertainty of a timeline for membership.

The statement appeared to unsettle Zelenskyy so much that he decided to attend the summit personally, arriving on Wednesday a day after things have gotten underway, so he can meet with NATO leaders and seek a clear path to join the alliance, Bloomberg reported. Zelenskyy is expected to meet Biden on Wednesday.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis believes the summit can serve a vital symbolic purpose due to its proximity to Ukraine – even though Billingslea stressed that the members decide on meeting locations far in advance.

“The NATO summit in Vilnius is the one that takes place less than 50 km away from Belarus,” Landsbergis told Fox News Digital.” Vilnius is also the NATO capital closest to Kyiv. Not only geographically.”

“As hosts, we do want this summit to be historic in the most positive way,” he explained. “For us, it means reassurance from the alliance to take the NATO threat assessment seriously – we expect allies to commit to the reinforcement of its Eastern Flank with a permanent presence of NATO ‘boots on the ground.’”

“I also hope that all collectively we will have enough courage to provide Ukraine with a clear pathway to NATO,” he stressed. “It is long overdue, and it is our duty to commit.”

Zelensky lashed out on Twitter as he traveled to the summit. “Uncertainty is weakness.”

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.
Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.

But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that…

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023

He wants to distinguish between an invitation to apply for NATO membership and the acceptance for membership. He is focused now on receiving an invitation. To imply that it is a show of disrespect to not be given a firm timeline at this point, though, is hyperbole. NATO has supported Ukraine since Putin invaded the country and member countries – especially the United States – have contributed military equipment and financial support. Biden continues to say the United States is committed for the long haul, however long it takes. What would change with NATO membership? Troops on the ground? Americans have made it clear that there is no appetite for another forever war.

Putin’s invasion into Ukraine brought about the desire from Finland and Sweden to join NATO. They see the potential threat to their countries. In the past, both countries have been militarily neutral. Now the countries see NATO membership as a national security issue.

Reacting to the news, US President Joe Biden said he welcomed the commitment by President Erdogan to proceed with “swift ratification”.

“I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd Nato ally,” a White House statement said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted: “At 32, we’re all safer together.” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Sweden joining would “make us all safer”.

Zelensky wants “swift ratification”, too, for Ukraine. He has acknowledged in the past that membership is not likely to be decided until after the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has himself said he does not expect membership until after the war – but he wants the summit to give a “clear signal” on Ukraine’s bid.

Several NATO members in Eastern Europe are pressing for a fast-track membership for their neighbor but others, including the US and Germany, are seen as more hesitant.

Let Zelensky go and make his case to the NATO membership during the summit. That seems like an appropriate place to do it. However, angry tweets and impatience in the process won’t bode well for Ukraine for those countries hesitant to move forward with an invitation to apply for membership.