For Ukraine, NATO membership is a big deal. The country was one of the pillars of the Soviet Union and is historically linked to Russia. The Kremlin has long opposed the country joining NATO and has a history of warning U.S. Undersecretary of Political Affairs William J. Burns against the move before the 2008 Bucharest summit. And it has remained an issue. Despite the risks, the Ukrainian government is committed to becoming a member of NATO.
While public opinion in Ukraine favors joining NATO, Russia has been hesitant to join. President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments about Ukraine’s ascension to NATO have raised alarm bells. While the White House believes Russia is likely to invade Ukraine at any time, it has made it clear that it cannot afford to delay. National security adviser Jake Sullivan has said the U.S. will not conduct military evacuations of its citizens if it does not get its way. But there is no reason for the alliance to turn back.
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and sparked a violent insurgency in eastern Ukraine. While NATO membership was off the table, it was still an option. During this time, President Yanukovych was a pro-Russian authoritarian and backed down from a trade agreement with the EU. The armed insurgency in Eastern Europe had made NATO membership unthinkable.
Since the Bucharest summit, Ukraine and Georgia have been attacked by Russia. These attacks have been contained, but Ukraine has suffered over 14,000 casualties in defending itself. Despite the Russian aggression, neither country has bowed to Russian pressure or abandoned its hopes of joining NATO. In fact, both countries have implemented numerous reforms to move closer to membership. Most recently, they have gained the status of NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partners.
As an important security recipient in its region, Ukraine is an ideal candidate for NATO membership. It has already been fighting Russian aggression for nearly seven years and protecting its region between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. It has gained invaluable experience in deterring Russian aggression not only on traditional military battlefields but in the realm of hybrid warfare, including disinformation and cyber-war. The U.S. should not take a position that undermines its interests and that of Ukraine.
For Ukraine to become a member of NATO, it must be approved by all 30 of its members. This would be a major blow to Russia. For Moscow to accept a new member, the country has to meet its demands. However, the decision has not yet been finalized, and many remain uncertain about the future of the association. There are no guarantees for the future of Ukraine. So, it is best to keep it open to new challenges.
Membership in NATO would increase the country’s defensive strength. As a member, Ukraine would have access to all NATO’s resources, including missile defense. The alliance also has a long list of rules that the country must meet in order to become a member. The EU has been closed to NATO since the early 1990s, but a member can join after it has been accepted. It is not clear whether Ukraine will actually be in the alliance in the future.
In June 2014, the Ukraine was invited to join NATO, and was granted a MAP shortly after. Since then, NATO has been providing political and practical support for the country, but it has yet to receive a MAP. As a result, it is still not a full member of the alliance. This situation has complicated the decision of many other countries in the region. A MAP doesn’t guarantee full membership.
NATO has been considering Ukraine’s membership in the alliance for years, but it has not yet made an official decision. It is a long process, and it is unclear when it will become a member. But while a MAP is a sign of commitment, it does not imply a commitment to enlist. A MAP is not a guarantee that the country will join NATO. The MAP is an important part of the country’s security.