Julianne Smith

US Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne Smith, affirmed that Ukraine's future membership in the alliance remains secure, stating that not a single NATO leader challenged this commitment during the pact's July meeting.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will present his "victory plan" for Ukraine to NATO defense ministers gathering Thursday in Brussels, under the long shadow of next month's U.S. elections.

Underscoring his plea for ramped-up Western support, Zelensky will attend the Alliance talks after also presenting his much-touted proposal at an EU leaders' summit taking place across town from NATO.

Amid debates over Bulgaria's membership in NATO, the US Ambassador to the Alliance, Julianne Smith, reaffirmed that Bulgaria retains full autonomy in deciding its relationship with the organization.

"I have always said that Russia is currently a risk to our national security. There is no other opinion on the matter. But for now, there is no direct threat that involes Bulgaria, as well as NATO, in a military conflict."

This was stated today by the acting Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov to Bulgarian journalists in Brussels.

According to unnamed U.S. officials, the two countries' membership in the alliance has become a "topic of discussions and numerous meetings" in talks between NATO foreign ministers. Finland is expected to submit the request in June, followed by Sweden.