Nato leaders will agree subsequent week to assist modernise Ukraine’s armed forces, create a brand new high-level discussion board for consultations and reaffirm that it’s going to be part of their alliance in the future, the organisation’s high civilian official has stated.

But the war-torn nation is not going to begin membership talks quickly.

At a two-day summit beginning on Tuesday within the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, US President Joe Biden and his counterparts may even agree to spice up defence spending as allies pour weapons, ammunition and different help resembling uniforms and medical tools into Ukraine, 17 months into the struggle.

They additionally hope to welcome Sweden as the subsequent member of the world’s greatest safety organisation, if they will overcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s objections, regardless that its accession would solely be made official within the coming months.

Mr Stoltenberg stated the leaders “will agree a multi-year programme of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and Nato”.

A Nato-Ukraine Council – the place disaster talks could be held – will probably be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskk will attend the council’s first assembly in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Mr Stoltenberg stated the leaders “will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of Nato and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal”.

Nato first pledged that Ukraine would turn into a member in the future in 2008, however issues have developed little since then.

Asked when, or how, Ukraine may be part of, Mr Stoltenberg stated that the “most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails”.

With Ukraine imploring its Western companions for extra weapons and ammunition, and nationwide navy shares amongst its companions depleting, Nato is encouraging the 31 allies to spice up their navy budgets.

In 2014, Nato allies pledged to maneuver in the direction of spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2024. In Vilnius, they may make 2% the minimal, however is not going to set any timeframe for attaining that objective, Nato officers say. Under new estimates launched on Friday, solely 11 of the allies will attain the two% objective in 2023.

But Mr Stoltenberg stated that good progress is being made. “In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3% across European allies and Canada. This is the biggest increase in decades.”

Question marks stay about Sweden’s future at Nato. It deserted an extended historical past of navy nonalignment final yr to hunt safety below the organisation’s safety umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Erdogan seems set to steal the summit limelight. He accuses Sweden of being too lenient towards teams that Ankara says pose a safety menace, together with militant Kurdish teams and other people related to a 2016 coup try.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to develop.

Mr Stoltenberg was talking a day after Mr Zelensky visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing navy assist and receiving assurances of help for Ukraine’s entry into Nato after the struggle with Russia is over.

Czech President Petr Pavel stated it’s within the curiosity of his nation and Ukraine that as quickly because the struggle ends negotiations about Nato membership start.

Earlier on Thursday, throughout a short go to on the invitation of Bulgaria’s new pro-Western authorities sworn in a month in the past, Mr Zelensky additionally mentioned European integration and bilateral vitality co-operation.