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Anders Fogh Rasmussen: ‘Putin Has Exploited Our Hesitation’

NATO’s former secretary-general on the case for arming Ukraine and what to expect at the Vilnius summit.

By , the editor in chief of Foreign Policy.
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Russia’s War in Ukraine

Understanding the conflict one year on.

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Last weekend marked 500 days since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine—a grim landmark that will hang over Vilnius, Lithuania, as leaders of 31 NATO countries assemble for the security alliance’s annual summit. While some member states, especially in Eastern Europe, continue to lobby for Ukraine’s accession to NATO, the United States has already made clear such a move is far-fetched while war remains underway. Even Sweden’s membership is up in the air, with Turkey playing spoiler once again: Ankara says the European Union should create a pathway for it to join the bloc before it agrees to support Stockholm's bid.

Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy. Twitter: @RaviReports

Read More On China | Europe | NATO | Russia | United States

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An collage illustration shows map segments with member countries — and possible future members — of NATO. Russian President Vladamir Putin is seen in profile with a tear of Ukraine map to signify the effect of the Russian war on the alliance.
An collage illustration shows map segments with member countries — and possible future members — of NATO. Russian President Vladamir Putin is seen in profile with a tear of Ukraine map to signify the effect of the Russian war on the alliance.

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