Where NATO is heading: Is Ukraine a shield for Europe or a limited partner?
15 November 19:48
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his support for humanitarian and economic assistance to Ukraine and expressed his readiness to facilitate its integration into the European Union. However, he is against Ukraine’s accession to NATO. At the same time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte named the number one priority as not allowing Putin to win in Ukraine. What can Ukraine expect at the next NATO summit, which will be held in The Hague in June 2025, and how the newly elected US President Donald Trump can influence the situation?
Ukraine is unlikely to receive an invitation to join the North Atlantic Alliance during the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. Such a statement was made by Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosyniak-Kamysh on TVN24.
“There is nothing to suggest that this invitation will be extended to Ukraine at the next NATO summit in The Hague,” Kosyniak-Kamysh emphasized.
He also emphasized that the obstacles to Ukraine’s integration into the Alliance remain not only from the United States, but also from some of Poland’s neighboring countries.
The Polish minister’s statements confirm the existence of serious discussions among NATO members about the timing and conditions of Ukraine’s potential membership. While many allies have expressed support for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the Alliance, there are countries that are cautious about this issue, given the ongoing war with Russia and the risks involved.
Among those who categorically oppose Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance is Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He argues that this is a potential threat of global escalation.
“Ukraine’s membership in NATO’s defense alliance could lead to the outbreak of World War III,” Robert Fico emphasized.
Fico assured that as long as he holds the post of prime minister, Slovakia will oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO, which has been a member of the Alliance since 2004.
In addition, the Slovak prime minister has repeatedly spoken out in favor of negotiations with Russia, calling it the way to resolve the conflict. He also opposes the transportation of weapons through the territory of Slovakia and the increase in military aid to Ukraine.
“Increasing the supply of weapons to Kyiv only stimulates further killings and prolongs the war indefinitely,” Fico said earlier.
The Slovak prime minister’s rhetoric, which is often pro-Russian, has caused controversy among his international partners. However, it is too early to make predictions about Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
A new world order means new challenges for NATO: The Alliance needs Ukraine
Former Secretary of the Polish delegation to the NATO Parliament Piotr Kulpa in an exclusive interview
According to Kulpa, the world is entering a new phase of global relations, where China is becoming the main challenge for the United States.
“China has a number of proxy countries, such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran, which operate in different regions, trying to disperse US forces. This is done to prove a point: America is not capable of dealing with all the world’s conflicts at the same time,” explained Kulpa.
Kulpa noted that in the current environment, the United States is trying to reduce the number of active conflicts in which it is involved.
“We see this trend in the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Ukraine, according to the US, has a unique potential. Its army of over a million people can become an important element in the global deterrence strategy, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Peter Kulpa
The expert emphasized that Ukraine is already acting as a shield, protecting Europe from Russian aggression. In this context, Kulpa suggests that NATO will change its approaches to cooperation with Ukraine, forming new principles of military partnership.
“We will witness a new approach to NATO as a deterrent alliance based on real power. In particular, European NATO member states are likely to be forced to pay for the maintenance of the Ukrainian army in order to maintain stability in the region,” Kulpa added.
Thus, according to the expert, Ukraine not only strengthens its position in the international arena, but also becomes an integral part of the new architecture of European and global security.
Author – Anastasia Fedor
