KYIV, July 6 — Ukraine’s long and often fraught path toward NATO membership has entered another phase of careful deliberation, with the alliance’s 2024 summit expected to discuss a “bridge” to membership without issuing an invitation, according to the record of official statements. The relationship between Kyiv and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization dates back to 1994, when Ukraine joined the Partnership for Peace program. At the Bucharest summit in 2008, NATO declared that Ukraine and Georgia would become members, though no action plan was offered at that time.
Officials confirmed that declaration remains a cornerstone of the alliance’s public position, but concrete steps have been slow. Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine’s parliament voted to abandon the country’s non-aligned status and pursue NATO membership.
In 2019, the Ukrainian constitution was amended to commit to joining the alliance. After Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine formally applied for accelerated membership in September of that year. In 2023, NATO leaders agreed to simplify Ukraine’s path to membership, a move designed to streamline the process.
According to the record, no formal invitation has been issued, and the 2024 summit is expected to focus on a “bridge” arrangement — a framework intended to discuss membership without crossing the threshold of a formal invitation. Key obstacles remain unresolved.
Territorial conflicts with Russia present a significant barrier. Some alliance members have expressed concern that extending a formal invitation to Ukraine could provoke Moscow further, complicating the strategic calculus. The record shows that no timeline has been set for a final decision.
Officials confirmed that the 2024 summit will be the next major milestone, with discussions expected to address both the practical “bridge” mechanisms and the broader geopolitical implications. For now, Ukraine’s membership remains a declared goal without a scheduled arrival date.
