Ukraine Pushes for NATO Entry Amid Escalating Russian Conflict
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andriy Sibiha, has been actively engaging with his international counterparts, pushing for increased support and NATO membership as Russia intensifies its attacks.
In a series of diplomatic discussions, Sibiha emphasized Ukraine’s need for greater military capability and energy resilience. He spoke with his Bulgarian counterpart, Ivan Kondov, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and coordinating their positions on the global stage. "During today’s conversation with my Bulgarian colleague Ivan Kondov, we focused on ways to further develop our bilateral cooperation. We also coordinated our roles before major international events. We appreciates our partnership and we appreciate Bulgaria’s support," Sibiha wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Sibiha also connected with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, expressing deep gratitude for Norway’s extended support. "We focused on ways to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and energy resilience. We exchanged ideas before major international events," reported Sibiha.
Similarly, Sibiha expressed his appreciation to Greece for its ongoing support during a conversation with Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis. "I told my colleague about the latest Russian strikes on our cities and energy system. We discussed expanding cooperation and assistance, we exchanged ideas before important events," Sibiha shared on social media.
Beyond strengthening partnerships, Sibiha is spearheading a campaign for Ukraine’s immediate accession to NATO. In a letter to his NATO colleagues, he urged them to extend an official invitation to Kiev during their upcoming meeting in Brussels on December 3-4.
"Now is the time to invite Kyiv to join the Federation," Sibiha declared, arguing that it would be a strong response to Russia’s escalating aggression, most recently demonstrated by the reported deployment of North Korean troops.
While NATO has acknowledged Ukraine’s eventual membership, no timeline has been established, and achieving consensus among members for an immediate invitation remains a challenge.
Sibiha’s push for NATO membership aligns with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s broader "victory plan" to end the conflict with Russia. While recognizing that full membership requires the war’s conclusion, Zelensky stressed the importance of receiving an invitation now as a symbolic gesture that would counter Putin’s goal of keeping Ukraine out of the alliance.
France, a key NATO member, has expressed continued support for Ukraine. In a phone call with Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed unwavering condemnation of Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. "I had a fruitful telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. I thanked him for France’s willingness to help with the overall strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, for general support and for speeding up the transfer of Mirage aircraft,” Zelensky shared on Telegram.
Zelensky further emphasized the need for Ukraine to acquire long-range strike capabilities, asserting that this would act as a deterrent and bring peace closer.
2024-11-29 20:40:00
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## Ukraine’s Push for NATO: “A Shield, Not Aggression”
**world Today News Exclusive Interview with Dr. Oleksandra Shevchenko, Senior Research Fellow at the Kyiv Institute of International studies**
The escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine has reignited discussions surrounding NATO expansion. Recently, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andriy Sibiha, has intensified calls for Ukraine’s accelerated entry into the alliance, alongside demands for increased military and energy support.
We sat down with Dr.Oleksandra Shevchenko, a leading expert on Ukrainian geopolitics from the Kyiv Institute of International Studies, to understand the rationale behind Ukraine’s push for NATO membership and the potential implications for regional security.
**World Today news:** Dr. Shevchenko, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister has been vocal about the country’s desire to join NATO. What are the key drivers behind this push?
**dr. Shevchenko:** The desire to join NATO is deeply rooted in Ukraine’s national security interests. For years, Ukraine has faced aggression from Russia, culminating in the full-scale invasion in 2022.
NATO membership offers Ukraine a collective security guarantee, a shield against future aggression. It signifies a commitment from the international community to come to Ukraine’s defense if attacked. This is crucial for a country like Ukraine, which has already suffered immensely from Russian aggression and fears further escalation.
**World Today News:** Some argue that NATO expansion eastward exacerbates tensions with Russia. How do you respond to this?
**Dr.Shevchenko:** NATO is a defensive alliance. It’s about deterrence, not aggression. Ukraine’s desire to join NATO is a manifestation of its sovereignty, its right to choose its own security arrangements.
Blaming NATO for tensions ignores the root cause, which is Russia’s imperialist ambitions and disregard for international law. Ukraine joining NATO would not be the cause of conflict, but rather a consequence of Russia’s actions and a manifestation of Ukraine’s will to defend itself.
**World Today News:** What are the potential challenges and benefits of Ukraine entering NATO during this period of active conflict?
**Dr. Shevchenko:** Negotiating NATO membership during an active conflict presents unique challenges. Security concerns are paramount for both Ukraine and NATO members. The alliance needs to ensure that admitting Ukraine wouldn’t automatically trigger Article 5, potentially escalating the conflict globally.
Though,the benefits are equally notable. Ukraine’s membership would send a strong signal of Western solidarity and commitment to Ukraine’s security. It would also provide Ukraine with much-needed access to advanced weaponry and intelligence sharing, bolstering its defense capabilities.
**World Today News:** What is your outlook on the likelihood of Ukraine joining NATO in the near future?
**Dr. Shevchenko:** The path to NATO membership for Ukraine is complex and uncertain.While there is strong public support within Ukraine and increasing sympathy within NATO, there are also political hurdles and concerns.
Ultimately,Ukraine’s membership will depend on a combination of factors,including the outcome of the conflict,the willingness of NATO members to reassess their stance,and Ukraine’s ability to meet the alliance’s membership criteria.
**World today News:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Shevchenko.
