According to the ISW, the summit demonstrated the extent to which the Russian invasion of Ukraine has undermined the Kremlin’s objectives that led it to start the war. One objective was to prevent NATO’s further expansion, curtail previous rounds of expansion, and push the Alliance away from Russia’s borders. Instead, Finland joined the NATO’s ranks, and Turkey agreed to a protocol for Sweden’s accession.
Russian sources are reporting on the NATO summit in a dispassionate, muted manner that does not befit the nation’s broader defeat that the summit represents for Russia’s pre-war goals.
A similar opinion was expressed by the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, noting that Putin brought NATO closer to the borders of the Russian Federation with the war against Ukraine.
In addition, according to President Zelenskyy a foundation for Ukraine’s lasting security was formed at the NATO summit for the first time since Ukraine’s independence.