WASHINGTON – Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to NATO membership after Russia’s war on Europe’s largest country brought Kyiv and the security alliance closer than ever, member nations said in the 2024 NATO Summit’s official declaration.

“Ukraine’s future is in NATO. Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the alliance,” the declaration said. “As Ukraine continues this vital work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.”

The summit’s official statement came out as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited congressional leaders on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

Though Ukraine is not yet a NATO member, Zelensky made the trek to Washington for the event, which has largely revolved around helping Kyiv win its fight.

After meeting with Zelensky, House Speaker Mike Johnson gave his support for the country, pushing for the Biden administration to lift its restrictions on where and when Ukraine can fire American weapons into Russia.

“I explained that the will of Congress was to allow them the flexibility to use the weapons and assistance that were sent to prosecute the war as they see fit,” Johnson said.

“So I’m a supporter of that. I believe that’s what Congress intended.”

Ukrainian refugee Mariia Hlyten holds a sign outside the NATO summit in Washington on July 10, 2024. AP

Currently, Ukraine does not have Biden’s blessing to fire long-distance weapons such as ATACMS – which have a range of roughly 186 miles – deep into Russian territory.

Biden only sent the highly effective ballistic missile system this year, but it represented a significant advancement in Kyiv’s capabilities.

The international alliance agreed at the summit that it would continue to help bringing Ukraine’s defense forces up to NATO standards, as it has done through training Ukraine’s forces and donations of NATO-grade military equipment, according to the declaration.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg holds a press conference, during NATO’s 75th anniversary summit, in Washington, DC on July 10, 2024. REUTERS

“The Summit decisions by NATO and the NATO-Ukraine Council, combined with Allies’ ongoing work, constitute a bridge to Ukraine’s membership in NATO,” it said.

“Allies will continue to support Ukraine’s progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms.”

The declaration did not provide a concrete timeline for Ukraine’s ascension into the security alliance, however, leaving it unclear whether it would happen before its war with Russia winds down.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky presents Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) with Ukrainian medals at the US Capitol on July 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Getty Images

Ukraine will soon take a big step toward its integration with NATO defense standards with the coming delivery of about 78 F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium, the first of which will take to the Ukrainian skies “this summer,” US, Danish and Dutch leaders announced Wednesday.

The declaration is bound to draw the ire of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who cited preventing NATO encroachment and stopping Kyiv from joining the 32-member security alliance in his decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

The alliance took care to say it “does not seek confrontation, and poses no threat to Russia,” in its declaration, noting that member nations “remain willing to maintain channels of communication with Moscow to mitigate risk and prevent escalation.”

NATO heads of state meet during the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on July 10, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

Still, it did not hold back from calling out Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine – and issued sharp criticism of Moscow’s continued reliance on its possession of nuclear weapons to bully the West into abandoning Kyiv.

“We condemn Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercive nuclear signaling, including its announced stationing of nuclear weapons in Belarus, which demonstrate a posture of strategic intimidation,” it said.

“Russia has increased its reliance on nuclear weapon systems and continued to diversify its nuclear forces, including by developing novel nuclear systems and deploying short and intermediate range dual-capable strike capabilities, all of which poses a growing threat to the alliance,” the declaration added.