President Biden and G-7 leaders have affirmed their commitment to Ukraine's long-term security, issuing a joint declaration at the NATO summit in Lithuania. While a concrete timeline for NATO accession remains undefined, the declaration underscores that Ukraine's future is within the alliance. Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden confirmed the allies' consensus on this point and announced the waiving of the Membership Action Plan requirement for Ukraine. This move streamlines the path to membership as Ukraine continues its reform efforts.

The G-7 declaration solidifies the commitment to bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities against any potential aggression. Individual nations, including the U.S., will engage in bilateral negotiations with Ukraine to establish long-term security agreements. This collaborative effort aims to equip Ukraine with a robust defense across land, air, and sea.

President Zelenskyy had previously advocated for expedited NATO membership for Ukraine, a request that President Biden addressed earlier in the week, explaining the potential for direct conflict with Russia if Ukraine joined NATO amidst the ongoing war. Zelenskyy expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of a defined timeline for Ukraine's NATO inclusion, voicing concerns about the ambiguity surrounding the conditions for membership and the potential encouragement this gives to Russia.

The United States has provided substantial military and intelligence support to Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion, exceeding $75 billion in aid. This assistance includes artillery shells, missile defense systems, and intelligence sharing. Western allies have also contributed modern tanks to support Ukraine's counteroffensive, with the U.S. pledging 31 M1 Abrams tanks pending the completion of Ukrainian crew training.