Scheduled for release in the near future, the report aims to address not only the case for Ukraine's NATO membership but also to provide solutions for ensuring enduring peace and countering Russian aggression, according to statements issued following the group's online meeting on Tuesday.
Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the co-chairman of the group, emphasized the draft report's strong endorsement of Ukraine's path toward NATO membership.
"The draft report of the International Working Group shows strong support for Ukraine's course toward NATO membership," Rasmussen was quoted as saying.
"The document sets out concrete proposals for future membership ... in the alliance as a key security guarantee for Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region," he added, as quoted by Polish state news agency PAP.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, briefed participants on the current situation in conflict zones with Russia and emphasized Ukraine's defense requirements.
"Decisive and clear decisions at the upcoming Washington summit will be extremely important," he said, acknowledging NATO's pivotal role in Ukraine's security landscape.
"They will be a good motivation for our citizens," he added, as quoted by the PAP news agency. "We really want NATO unity to be extremely strong. Thank you very much for your help and support."
The online meeting brought together prominent figures including former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP