In a move to enhance transparency within the alliance, the official NATO Information and Documentation Center was inaugurated in Kyiv on May 7, 1997 [31]. This initiative aimed to provide insights into NATO’s operations. A Ukrainian public opinion poll conducted on May 6 of the same year indicated varying sentiments regarding NATO membership, with 37% in favor, 28% opposed, and 34% undecided [32].
Establishment of NATO-Ukraine Commission
Subsequently, on July 9, 1997, the NATO-Ukraine Commission was established [33], marking a significant step towards fostering collaboration between NATO and Ukraine.
Strained Relations Amidst Cassette Scandal
In 2002, relations between the United States, other NATO countries, and Ukraine soured following the revelation of the Cassette Scandal. This scandal alleged that Ukraine had illicitly transferred an advanced defense system to Saddam Hussein’s Iraq [23].
NATO-Ukraine Action Plan
During the NATO enlargement summit in November 2002, the NATO–Ukraine commission adopted a crucial NATO-Ukraine Action Plan [34]. Despite President Kuchma’s declaration of Ukraine’s desire to join NATO in the same year, and the deployment of Ukrainian troops to Iraq in 2003 [23], tensions between Kuchma’s administration and NATO persisted [23]. Up until 2006, the Ukrainian Armed Forces collaborated with NATO in Iraq [35]. However, the prospect of Ukraine’s NATO membership remained contentious, with concerns over potential repercussions from Russia.
Legislative Measures and Policy Shifts
On April 6, 2004, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law granting free access to NATO forces on Ukrainian territory.
In June 2004, the Military Doctrine of Ukraine was updated, signaling a significant policy shift towards Euro-Atlantic integration, with NATO membership as the ultimate goal [36]. However, this stance was swiftly revised in July 2004, following a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO commission. President Kuchma issued a decree, retracting the goal of NATO membership, and instead emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties with NATO and the European Union as key guarantors of security and stability in Europe [36].
Is Ukraine a member of NATO?
The security of Ukraine holds paramount significance for NATO and its member nations. NATO unequivocally backs Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defense and its autonomy in selecting security arrangements. It firmly believes that Ukraine’s integration into NATO is pivotal for ensuring long-term stability in the region.
Relations between NATO and Ukraine trace their origins back to the early 1990s and have since blossomed into one of NATO’s most robust partnerships. Particularly after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, cooperation between NATO and Ukraine has deepened substantially across various fronts.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, NATO and its allies have rallied to provide unprecedented levels of assistance to Ukraine. This steadfast support underscores NATO’s commitment to upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst escalating tensions.
Why didn’t Ukraine join the EU?
The relationship between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine is chiefly structured by the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Ukraine holds a pivotal position as a priority partner within both the Eastern Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Over time, the EU and Ukraine have been striving for a closer bond, transitioning from mere cooperation towards a more profound economic integration and intensified political collaboration.
A significant milestone in this trajectory occurred on June 23, 2022, when the European Council conferred upon Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union.
The genesis of the association agreement dates back to 2012. However, the signing process was halted on November 21, 2013, under the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, who held pro-Russian inclinations. Yanukovych’s attendance at the EU summit in Vilnius on November 28–29, 2013, intended for the signing of the association agreement, did not materialize as planned. This decision to delay the signing acted as a catalyst for the pro-EU Euromaidan movement. Consequently, Yanukovych and his administration were ousted by parliament following the events of the 2013–2014 Ukrainian revolution in February 2014.
Subsequently, on March 21, 2014, the political segment of the Association Agreement was eventually signed, marking a significant step towards solidifying the relationship between the EU and Ukraine.
Did Putin want to join NATO?
In 2000, during a conversation with George Robertson, the Secretary General of NATO at the time, Vladimir Putin expressed Russia’s interest in joining NATO, albeit with a reluctance towards following the conventional application procedure.
The aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 marked a significant turning point in U.S.-Russian relations. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a hand to President George W. Bush, emphasizing cooperation during this critical period. This outreach represented a pinnacle in bilateral relations since the Cold War’s conclusion. Notably, Russia collaborated by sharing intelligence with the United States, which proved invaluable for U.S. operations in Afghanistan.
Given the United States’ NATO membership, this newfound rapport between Washington and Moscow held promise for broader implications on Russian-NATO relations, potentially fostering a more positive dynamic between the two entities.
Who would win NATO vs Russia?
Following Vladimir Putin’s initiation of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, NATO has been swift in its efforts to present a cohesive stance against Russian aggression.
Member states of the alliance have bolstered Kyiv’s defenses by supplying weapons and have enacted punitive measures against Russia, including the most stringent economic sanctions ever levied against a major economy. However, there has been indecision regarding Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, and divisions persist regarding the extent of further financial and military assistance to the embattled nation.
In the midst of “unprecedented air attacks from Russia” targeting Ukraine, as reported by Politico, the NATO-Ukraine Council convened in Brussels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba sought assurances for bolstering his country’s defenses during this meeting. While the military alliance affirmed its continued military support for Ukraine at its summit the previous year, it refrained from providing a definitive timeline regarding Ukraine’s accession to the alliance.
Editor