November 30th 2024.
In a recent interview, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine and how it could potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the country. He stated that any offer of membership should include all parts of Ukraine, not just those currently under Kyiv's control. This would ensure that the internationally recognized borders of the country are respected. Zelenskyy's comments offer a potential solution to the challenges Ukraine faces in its pursuit of NATO membership.
At the NATO summit in Washington in July, the 32 member countries declared that Ukraine was on an irreversible path to membership. However, one major obstacle has been the question of Ukraine's borders and the need for them to be clearly defined before joining the alliance. This is to avoid any confusion about where NATO's mutual defense pact would come into effect. Zelenskyy emphasized that an invitation to join must be extended to the entire country, as recognizing only part of Ukraine would imply that the rest belongs to Russia.
According to the Ukrainian constitution, the country cannot recognize any territory occupied by Russia as belonging to Russia. Zelenskyy stressed that legally, they have no right to do so. Since the start of the conflict in 2022, Russia has been using significant military force to slowly gain control of parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Zelenskyy believes that the best way to stop the conflict is for Ukraine to join NATO and bring the territory currently under their control under the alliance's protection. This would allow Ukraine to focus on recovering the rest of its territory through diplomatic means.
Joining NATO is a crucial part of Zelenskyy's "victory plan," which he presented to Western allies and the Ukrainian people in October. It is seen as a way for Ukraine to strengthen its position in negotiations with Russia. The new Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, has stated that the alliance needs to do more to support Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion. Military aid and steps towards ending the conflict are expected to be high on the agenda at the upcoming NATO meeting in December.
However, any decision for Ukraine to join NATO would require a lengthy process and the approval of all member states. There is also uncertainty surrounding the foreign policy of President-elect Donald Trump. Although he has promised to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine in one day, he has not elaborated on how this would be achieved. Trump has also appointed an 80-year-old retired three-star general, Keith Kellogg, as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
In April, Kellogg wrote that bringing an end to the conflict would require strong and decisive leadership. However, during the campaign, Trump refused to directly answer whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war, causing concerns that Kyiv may be forced to accept unfavorable terms in any negotiations. Zelenskyy's statement comes at a time of increasing pressure on Ukraine's 1000-kilometer frontline. According to a recent report, Russian forces have advanced in several key areas, and there have been reports of drone attacks on both sides.
On Friday, Zelenskyy announced changes to the military leadership, stating that they were necessary to improve the situation on the battlefield. General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who led the defense of Kharkiv during a recent Russian offensive, was appointed as the new head of Ukraine's Ground Forces. Other changes were also made to improve military training and bolster units in key areas with additional reserves, ammunition, weapons, and equipment.
In conclusion, Zelenskyy's statement offers a potential solution to the challenges Ukraine faces in its quest for NATO membership. By including all parts of the country in the membership offer, it would ensure the respect of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict. However, the process of joining NATO would be lengthy and require the approval of all member states. With uncertainty surrounding the foreign policy of the incoming US administration, the situation remains complex and challenging.
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