Rapid entry of Ukraine into NATO: what will be the last barricade

Could we believe back in January that Ukraine would get the status of a candidate for joining the European Union in June? I bet it doesn't. Read more in the exclusive blog for the Channel 24 website.

A Chance Paid in the Blood of the Brave

However, the heroism and courage of the Ukrainians in this war gave our state a chance to win years, if not decades, in the process of integrating into Western institutions. the main promoter of EU and NATO expansion in the world. However, as you know, in every joke – only the fate of the joke.

The fact is that the more Putin raises the stakes, the further Ukraine moves away from Russia. Back in February-March, the Ukrainian authorities were ready to discuss with the Russians the issue of Ukraine not joining NATO. Today, our application for membership under the accelerated procedure is on the table at Stoltenberg, and we are ready to sit down at the same table with the Russians only to sign the act of their surrender.

NATO is closer, than it seems

Is it possible for Ukraine to quickly join NATO? I think yes. And that's why. We already have the example of Sweden and Finland, which started their process of joining the alliance only in May and have every chance to complete all the procedures before the end of 2022. The same case of Sweden and Finland demonstrates that joining NATO is mainly a political issue. If there is political will, technical and financial issues become secondary. And even with ideological enemies from official Ankara, you can negotiate.

This war brought us very close to the Europeans, and they began to realize that we have common values. Therefore, the mark in 10 countries that have already supported Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic Alliance in the first few days is the result of the joint work of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the authorities, volunteers, doctors and all Ukrainians who prove with their lives and health that democracy, freedom and freedom for we are not just words.

In order for the issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO to move from theoretical considerations to practical implementation, we need to convince 80% of the member countries of the alliance. In other words, after 22-24 NATO member countries support the accession of Ukraine, this process will become irreversible.

What to do with the “sworn friend”

And with the rest of the potential opponents of our accession, among which Hungary will almost certainly be, we need to work systematically: appeal primarily to the general public, organize common projects, join the negotiations with third countries that have a more serious influence on Budapest than we do. For example, to activate in the negotiation process with Orban the leaders of the Visegrad Group countries, which have much more common points of contact and opportunities for finding a compromise with him.

Another interesting moment in the context of Ukraine's accession to NATO is a sudden visit to Kyiv British Minister of Defense Wallace and the visit to Ukraine of German Defense Minister Lambrecht. I am convinced that at these meetings the issue of the Ukrainian application was definitely discussed.

This Ukrainian “entrance campaign” to NATO is definitely a time of atypical approaches and original proposals. The main thing is to remain flexible and look for approaches to our partners.