Ukraine and NATO are closer than it appears

The current military-political situation is not conducive to talks about Ukraine’s rapid accession to NATO. At the same time, numerous comments can be found on the Internet (including some experts) that Ukraine has, in fact, already become a NATO ally, although it is outside the bloc. To support the veracity of this position, there are a number of arguments / proofs:

Weapons

Ukraine is supplied with weapons from NATO countries, including the most modern models. In this context, it is important to mention the Land Lease from the United States, modeled on American assistance to the USSR in the fight against Hitler’s Germany (which is very symbolic in modern conditions). European members of the Alliance follow the example of the United States.

If initially the foreign military assistance was about anti-tank missile systems and grenade launchers (Javelin, NLAW, Matador), portable anti-aircraft missile systems (Stinger, Starstreak), then later the level and scale of assistance to Kiev increased: air defense systems (including C- 300 transferred to Ukraine by Slovakia), artillery (special resonance was made by American M777), multiple rocket launchers (American M142 HIMARS, RM-70 from the Czech Republic, etc.), as well as self-propelled artillery, tanks, armored personnel carriers, etc. At the same time, it should be understood that a significant part of the supply of foreign weapons, their qualitative and quantitative characteristics remains classified, and therefore the real scale of aid we can only guess.

In addition, the Allies support Ukraine by providing intelligence on the location and movement of Russian forces, consulting the Ukrainian military on the operation of the weapons provided, and providing other support measures.

Russia declared economic war

We agree that the sanctions pressure on Russia is insufficient and not all countries are firmly committed to the idea of ​​punishing the aggressor. At the same time, the already imposed sanctions have really become “hell” for Russia – half of the Bank of Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves (unofficial information – about $ 300 billion) is being frozen, Western companies massively “leave” the Russian market, foreign property and assets of Russian oligarchs and top officials is arrested, the gradual imposition of an embargo on Russian energy supplies is becoming increasingly clear. And this is not a complete list of all anti-Russian decisions, such actions should be considered the economic equivalent of the war against Russia.

NATO consolidation around Ukraine

At the political level, NATO countries demonstrate a consolidated position in support of Ukraine, its territorial integrity and condemn Russia’s aggression. In practice, this is reflected in the provision of humanitarian aid, shelter for Ukrainian refugees, financial support for Ukraine, the aforementioned provision of weapons, the fight against Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns, etc. In most NATO countries, pro-Ukrainian public sentiment has reached a historic high. It should be noted here that in the renewed Strategic Concept of the North Atlantic Alliance, which is to be adopted at the NATO summit in Madrid, Russia will be recognized as a “direct threat” . Such a decision could overwhelm all previous economic sanctions, as it would de facto impose a complete blockade on Russia by Allies.

Ideological aspect

In an interview with the German newspaper Welt, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated NATO’s intention to “support Ukraine until its complete victory in the war with Russia”. NATO countries see Ukraine as an outpost of the Euro-Atlantic civilization space. In many ways, Ukraine’s victory will mean the victory of NATO, the victory of liberal democracy with authoritarianism.

A democratic Ukraine with a transparent electoral process, a decentralized territorial organization of power and a high level of national self-consciousness opposes an authoritarian regime that embodies everything that the North Atlantic Alliance aims to combat.

The Ukrainian military, building on its own experience and skillfully using the advice of NATO consultants, uses a more flexible and operational command system modeled on the alliance (while the Russian command system inherited excessive centralization from the Soviet Union).

Given the support of the consolidated event, the glorious Ukrainian people are once again forced to protect Europe from the plague of world fascism. The Ukrainian military patriots, washing themselves with their own blood, bring victory and freedom to all corners of the free country. Yes, it’s hard for them. But they know and believe that they are not alone in their way!

The RRAC team