Estonia’s prime minister has warned western countries not to use bilateral security assurances to “blur” the debate over Ukraine’s bid for Nato membership ahead of the military alliance’s summit next week.

Nato is divided over offering Ukraine a postwar pathway to membership at the summit in Vilnius next week. At the same time the US, UK and EU states are drawing up plans to provide Kyiv with “security commitments” aimed at helping the country defend itself in lieu of alliance accession.

“We need practical, concrete steps on the path to Nato membership,” Kaja Kallas told the Financial Times. “I have the feeling that talking about security guarantees actually blurs the picture?.?.?.?the only security guarantee that really works and is much cheaper than anything else is Nato membership.”