Ukraine likely to get NATO support message, not full invite - U.S. ambassador

Western allies are unlikely to invite Ukraine to join NATO while the war with Russia continues but are still negotiating language to signal their long-term commitment to Kyiv.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said this in an interview with POLITICO, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I think the allies now are in agreement that a proper invitation is unlikely while they're engaged in a full-scale war," she said.

But she insisted NATO still wants Ukraine to get the message that it is with the war-torn country for the long haul — and is trying to find a way to show that in Vilnius.

"We want to signal to President Zelensky — if he comes in person — we care deeply about having a longer-term relationship with Ukraine and looking for ways to acknowledge, you know, all they've accomplished and that our support isn't going to fade away or that we're not going to get distracted," the ambassador said.

This year's meeting of NATO heads of state and government will take place in Vilnius on July 11-12.

Photo: nato.usmission.gov