"What I am expecting allies to do is to construct a bridge to membership by offering Ukraine a deliverable that will enable them to become even closer to this alliance," said US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith.

She said she expects Ukraine to become a member of the NATO alliance, but she doesn't expect an invitation for full-fledged membership to be extended to Ukraine this summer when NATO allies gather in Washington.

She was speaking at an Atlantic Council event "A back-to-business birthday: Priorities for the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington" on April 29, 2024.