Ukraine will get ‘Israel-style’ guarantees of security against Russia from Western allies

Ukraine could get an ‘Israel-style’ guarantees of security in its fight against Russia from Western allies, according to reports.

The war-torn country, which has been involved in a bloody conflict with its eastern neighbour since it was illegally invaded in February 2022, could benefit from a long-term plan by the UK, United States, France and Germany to arm Kyiv.

Ahead of the annual NATO summit in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, talks are well underway about how to create a scheme to help Ukraine, the Telegraph reports.

It is believed the legally-binding pledge would come with promises to train Ukrainian troops and share intelligence with Kyiv to bring it in line with NATO standards.

This falls short of full NATO membership, which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been pushing for, but could be seen as a way for Kyiv to get its feet under the table.

President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting the Lviv and Volyn regions of Ukraine on Saturday

The United States and Germany have blocked Ukraine’s attempts for full membership of Nato, but German chancellor Olaf Scholz has suggested a similar agreement to that obtained by Israel could be in the works. 

Israel is not part of NATO, but receives billions of pounds in military funding from the United States under a deal that is renewed between the two countries every decade.

Chancellor Scholz said the Israeli model could play a ‘major role’ in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, the Telegraph reports.

NATO officials have already agreed on a fast-track application process, announced by Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba earlier on Monday. 

It means Ukraine will no longer be required to take part in the club’s Membership Action Plan, a process of key reforms demanded of any potential member.

‘Following intensive talks, Nato allies have reached consensus on removing MAP from Ukraine’s path to membership. I welcome this long-awaited decision that shortens our path to Nato. It is also the best moment to offer clarity on the invitation to Ukraine to become a member,’ Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

It marks a diplomatic breakthrough for Ukraine ahead of Zelensky’s attendance at the summit in Lithuania.

He told ABC News in an interview that he wants ‘effective security guarantees’ while it is waiting for full membership.

A senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that ‘the time is not right for an invitation to Ukraine’ owing to Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of the country.

But the source said the leaders would sketch out ‘concrete steps towards membership.’

Lithuanian border guard officers patrol the metal fence at the border with Belarus on Monday

ATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (centre) hosts a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (right)

It comes hours after Turkey backed down on blocking Sweden’s bid to join the military alliance. 

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement in a joint statement with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Ulf Kristersson.

Erdogan said he would urge Turkish MPs to ratify Sweden’s application to join the 31-member mutual defense club ‘as soon as possible’. 

US president Joe Biden, who touched down in Vilnius hours earlier, reacted to the news by indicating that a deal had been done on F-16 fighter jets for Turkey.

‘I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area,’ he said in a statement released by the White House.

Earlier, the strongman leader had linked dropping his opposition to Stockholm’s possible membership to reviving long-dead EU accession talks.