The NATO Summit in Washington in 2024 is unlikely to bring any significant positive results for Ukraine, as there is not a "sufficient level of energy" within the Alliance regarding Ukrainian membership, according to retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe.
Expressing his views during a telethon, Hodges stated,
"Honestly, I am not optimistic. I don't hear statements or conversations indicating that the results in Washington in 2024 could be more successful than the 2023 summit in Vilnius. I look at Orban in Hungary, Fico in Slovakia. Both of them are currently doing Kremlin's work in different ways within the European Union. Hungary even blocked Sweden's entry into NATO. I don't sense a sufficient level of energy regarding Ukrainian membership. Let's hope I am completely wrong."
According to him, the United States must gain clarity regarding their goals in Ukraine. The U.S. should genuinely assist Ukraine in achieving victory because it is in their interest.
"It is necessary to continue supporting Ukraine's NATO membership. The Alliance will become better on the day when it accepts Ukraine," Hodges added.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg asserted that all member countries of the Alliance agree with the idea of Ukraine's future membership. As evidence, he cited the decision of the July summit, where the requirement for Ukraine to implement the "Membership Action Plan" was lifted.
Former NATO Secretary-General (2009-2014) Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that NATO could admit Ukraine to the alliance without the territories occupied by Russia. This should demonstrate to the Kremlin that the war will not prevent Ukraine from getting closer to the West.
