(VOVWORLD) - NATO leaders will not issue an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance at a summit in Vilnius in mid-July, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday, adding that leaders will discuss ways to move Ukraine closer to NATO.
Stoltenberg warned against accepting a frozen conflict in Ukraine in return for an end to the conflict.
US President Joe Biden said last Saturday that Washington will not simplify the process of joining NATO for Ukraine.
NATO has not agreed to Ukraine's request to expedite its accession to the military alliance.
Ukraine is expected to deliver a “clear message” at the Vilnius Summit about what will happen once its conflict with Russia ceases. Ukraine has acknowledged that its accession to NATO will not happen while the conflict is going on.