In this year's NATO summit, Ukraine's long-anticipated invitation to join the alliance was not granted, leaving some concerned about the implications for the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite this setback, NATO declared Ukraine's path to membership as "irreversible," a significant improvement from last year's summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The summit, which marked NATO's 75th anniversary, resulted in various agreements and commitments to support Ukraine. Although Ukraine did not receive the explicit invitation it sought, it did secure more air defense systems, $43 billion in funding, a NATO representative in Kyiv, and new bilateral security agreements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed satisfaction with the outcome, calling it a "success" for Ukraine. However, this positive reception stands in contrast to the previous year, when the lack of a clear path to membership left Ukrainian leaders furious.

NATO's messaging around Ukraine's future in the alliance was at times conflicting. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine's membership would be possible only if it successfully maintains sovereignty as an independent nation in Europe. However, he also noted that the clearest way to counter Russian aggression is through Ukraine's NATO membership.

Critics argue that the language of "irreversibility" may inadvertently provide Russia with a green light to continue its war against Ukraine. Adrian Karatnycky, the former president of Freedom House, highlighted that the lack of concrete steps may signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he can persist in obstructing Ukraine's NATO integration.

While some expressed frustration and confusion over the summit's messaging, others saw the language of "irreversibility" as a step forward compared to the previous year. The discussion on NATO's requirement for member nations to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defense was also a prominent topic. The United States emphasized the need for higher defense spending among European countries.

Regarding the use of American weapons in Ukraine, the question of lifting restrictions on Kyiv's ability to strike inside Russian territory was repeatedly raised. Currently, the United States permits Ukraine to use weapons only near its northeastern borders. The recent missile attack on Kyiv's Ohkmadyt Children's Hospital, which claimed lives and injured many, intensified calls for lifting restrictions and allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia.

President Zelensky met with members of the U.S. Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, to discuss the flexibility and support needed for Ukraine to prosecute the war effectively.

The NATO summit's conclusion leaves Ukraine with progress in certain areas but without the definitive invitation it desired. As the conflict with Russia continues and the specter of future geopolitical shifts looms, Ukraine will continue to strive for its ultimate goal of NATO membership.