By Matt Underwood Zelenskyy says Ukraine will not abandon its bid to join NATO, and honestly, the implications of that statement are pretty layered. It’s not as simple as a clear “yes” or “no” situation, and it feels like there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. While the headline might suggest a steadfast commitment to immediate membership, the reality appears a bit more complex. From what I gather, Ukraine understands that direct NATO membership is probably off the table, at least for the foreseeable future. However, they aren’t withdrawing their application, and that’s significant.
The interesting thing is this: the discussion around a defense plan, mirroring the spirit of Article 5 without being *within* NATO. It seems like the thinking is that this kind of arrangement is practically the only way to genuinely defend Ukraine from future Russian aggression. And that makes a lot of sense. The current war needs to wrap up first, of course, but the groundwork is being laid. I think it is important to remember that there’s a strong desire from many quarters to see Ukraine as part of the NATO family, and for good reason. It’s tough not to want to lend support.
The motivations behind Russia’s opposition are painfully obvious. It’s not about military threats, it’s about control. They want to be able to keep their hands in Ukraine’s affairs, which explains why they want to continuously invade and take more of Ukraine in the future without having to deal with other NATO countries. No one is fooled by Russia’s tactics. This is an open-and-shut case of aggression. Ukraine has shown itself to be worthy, they’re sacrificing everything for values and safety that NATO shares. Their place in the alliance has practically been earned.
I mean, the geopolitical chess game here is just wild, isn’t it? If the USA has some issues, Ukraine could become a reliable partner in NATO… EU countries should create their own NATO, minus the issues with USA. And let’s be honest, NATO needs Ukrainian expertise just as much as Ukraine needs NATO. It’s a two-way street. Anyone who stands against authoritarianism deserves support.
The stakes are unbelievably high. The alternative is something no one wants, and we all know where that road leads. Russia is unlikely to stop, no matter what, and Ukraine is entirely right in their fight against colonization. Frankly, Ukraine deserves to be at the helm of NATO, not just a member. Putin can go pound sand with his demands. And it’s ludicrous that some countries aren’t seizing the moment to absolutely cripple Russia.
The threat of nuclear war, while always present, is a card Russia can’t realistically play. They are keenly aware of the consequences, and a single strike will trigger a response. There’s a real possibility that a new defense pact could emerge outside of NATO, potentially involving key players like France, Poland, and Germany. The important thing is that Ukraine needs to be defended, and that’s the bottom line. Zelenskyy is playing a strong hand. It seems to me, as an American, that the headline is spot-on. Ukraine will not abandon the bid to join NATO.
And it’s a valid question to ask: why not just let them in? Why does it feel like they’re being kept at arm’s length, like that kid who wants to join the cool club, but keeps getting turned away? Maybe it’s a bargaining chip in future negotiations. Either way, the Ukrainian armed forces are an asset that would greatly benefit NATO. They are the most battle-hardened and experienced warriors on the planet right now, and turning down a powerful anti-Russian ally serves no one except, as someone mentioned, the potentially compromised.
The reality, as some point out, is that NATO might need Ukraine more than Ukraine needs NATO, or at least, the current version of NATO. There’s a case to be made for a new alliance among Western democracies, one that excludes some of the more problematic players. Maybe Ukraine could make its own NATO and change things from the inside.
However, there is evidence that it was Ukrainian special forces who destroyed Nordstream 2. As a result, someone may not want Ukraine in the EU or NATO. So, the situation is complex and that’s understandable. I certainly would want Ukraine to win the war, and to see peace.