Ukraine turns heat on allies as NATO stalls on membership bid

A frustrated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a furious broadside against Ukraine’s NATO allies on July 11 as they began a summit still unsure how to advance Kyiv’s membership bid. Mr. Zelenskyy, who will come to Vilnius during the two-day summit, denounced as “absurd” the reluctance of some NATO leaders to provide a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.

A frustrated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a furious broadside against Ukraine’s NATO allies on July 11 as they began a summit still unsure how to advance Kyiv’s membership bid.

Mr. Zelenskyy, who will come to Vilnius during the two-day summit, denounced as “absurd” the reluctance of some NATO leaders to provide a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.

“Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit,” Mr. Zelenskyy tweeted.

The alliance backs Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s 16-month-old invasion, but several members — notably U.S. President Joe Biden — oppose giving Ukraine a timetable for membership.

Instead, the Vilnius summit is expected to produce more commitments on arms shipments and a reaffirmation that Ukraine’s eventual place is within the alliance once the war is won.

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the G7 group of major industrialised economies would offer a package of support to kick in once “peace is obtained”.

Arriving at the talks, President Emmanuel Macron said France would join Britain in supplying long-range cruise missiles to allow Ukraine to strike Russian targets in depth.