Nato leaders opened their summit in Washington on Tuesday with a landmark pledge to put Ukraine on an 'irreversible' path to membership, even as Russian missiles struck Kyiv, killing at least 31 people and wounding over 100, according to Ukrainian officials.
Nato's 'Bridge' to Membership
In a joint communique, the 32 allies agreed to declare Ukraine's path to Nato 'irreversible' and to establish a new command in Germany, dubbed the Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), to coordinate military aid and training. The move is intended to signal long-term Western support and to 'bridge' Ukraine toward eventual membership, though no timeline was set.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the summit would 'strengthen our support for Ukraine and make it irreversible,' adding that the new command would 'put our support on a firmer footing.' The decision stops short of an invitation to join, which some allies, including the US and Germany, have resisted, fearing escalation with Russia.
Russian Strike on Children's Hospital
Hours before the summit, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Kyiv, hitting a children's hospital and other civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital was 'one of the largest' of the war, with rescuers searching rubble for survivors. 'Russia cannot claim ignorance of where its missiles are flying,' Zelenskyy said, calling for a strong international response.
Ukraine's air force said it shot down 30 of 38 missiles, but the strikes still caused extensive damage and casualties. The attack came as Zelenskyy arrived in Washington to press for more air defenses and a clearer membership path.
US Announces New Aid Package
President Joe Biden announced a new $225 million military aid package for Ukraine, including a Patriot air defense system, as he met Zelenskyy on the summit's sidelines. 'Putin wants nothing less than to wipe Ukraine off the map,' Biden said, vowing that the US and allies would stand with Ukraine. The package also includes munitions for HIMARS and NASAMS systems, critical for defending against Russian missile barrages.
Zelenskyy thanked Biden and allies but pressed for faster delivery of weapons and a more concrete membership timeline. 'We need to be strong enough to stop Russia,' he said. 'Nato membership is the only real security guarantee.'
Allies Divided on Membership Timeline
Despite the 'irreversible' language, divisions remain among allies. Some Eastern European members, such as Poland and the Baltic states, pushed for a formal invitation, while the US, Germany, and Hungary urged caution. The final communique includes language on 'democratic reforms' and 'conditions' for membership, reflecting a compromise.
Analysts say the pledge is largely symbolic but sends a strong political message to Moscow. 'This is a bridge to membership, not the membership itself,' said a senior US official. 'But it is a clear signal that Ukraine's future is in Nato.'
Zelenskyy Calls for Action
Speaking at the summit, Zelenskyy urged allies to lift restrictions on using Western weapons to strike inside Russia, arguing that Ukraine needs to hit Russian military targets to defend itself. He also repeated his request for more F-16 fighter jets, which are expected to arrive later this year.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismissed the summit's decisions, saying they would not deter Russia's military goals. 'Nato is de facto already a party to the conflict,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, warning of 'consequences.'
Summit Continues
The three-day summit will also address other challenges, including China's growing influence, defense spending targets, and the war in Gaza. But Ukraine remains the central focus, with allies expected to announce new bilateral security agreements and a long-term funding pledge.
