Germany Plans to Delay Ukraine's NATO Membership

Germany intends to delay Ukraine's accession to NATO allies due to concerns that it could lead to conflict with Russia. According to Politico, a NATO source stated that Berlin will use the NATO summit in Vilnius to encourage others to focus on security guarantees rather than membership proposals, in order to assist Ukraine in its self-defense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western countries to take concrete actions towards Ukraine's NATO membership. Zelensky's trip to Turkey is part of his visit to several NATO capitals aimed at encouraging them to take specific steps towards granting Kyiv membership in the alliance at this week's summit. Erdogan stated at the joint conference that 'Ukraine deserves NATO membership.' Leaders and senior representatives of NATO member countries will gather in Vilnius from July 11 to 12 to discuss a wide range of issues, from disputes over Ukraine's membership request and Sweden's accession to increasing ammunition reserves and examining the first defense plans in decades. Russia attacked Ukraine in March 2022 under the pretext of Ukraine's efforts to join NATO. Although Ukraine initially denied such efforts, after the Russian attack, Zelensky explicitly called for Ukraine's membership in NATO. Zelensky's intensified efforts for Ukraine's NATO membership; report by Farhad Poladi from London. Report by Farhad Poladi on Joe Biden's European trip; plans to meet with British officials and NATO leaders. Biden has begun his trip to three European countries. On the 500th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky spoke on Snake Island. The President of Turkey is negotiating to extend the Black Sea grain deal. The Vilnius summit; NATO is seeking specific actions regarding China.