Ukraine has issued a bold ultimatum to NATO, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha declaring that Kyiv will accept nothing short of full NATO membership as its security guarantee. Ahead of a critical NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Sybiha emphasized that alternatives or partial measures would fail to deter Russian aggression and address Ukraine’s security needs.
A Demand for Action
In a strongly worded letter, Sybiha argued that NATO’s failure to extend membership to Ukraine in the past was a “strategic mistake” exploited by Moscow. He highlighted the inadequacy of previous agreements, such as the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which left Ukraine vulnerable after relinquishing its nuclear weapons.
“Not providing Ukraine with real, effective security guarantees in the 1990s was a strategic mistake that Moscow exploited. This mistake must be corrected,” Sybiha wrote. He further emphasized that only full NATO membership could serve as a deterrent against further Russian aggression.
NATO’s Hesitation
Despite Ukraine’s firm stance, no significant movement toward granting NATO membership is expected during the upcoming summit. Officials in Kyiv have grown increasingly disillusioned with NATO’s reluctance, particularly in light of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to delay Ukraine’s membership by at least 20 years as part of a potential peace deal with Russia.
Ukraine’s Justice Minister Olga Stefanishyna expressed frustration with the lack of progress, blaming the Biden administration for missing a critical window to advance Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. “The moment that could have been for an invitation to NATO was not used by the current administration,” she said.
Growing Tensions
Kyiv’s insistence on full NATO membership reflects escalating concerns over its national security amid ongoing Russian aggression. The demand underscores Ukraine’s belief that only binding alliances can offer meaningful protection and stability in the region.
As NATO foreign ministers convene to discuss support for Ukraine, the tension between Kyiv’s urgent appeals and NATO’s cautious approach highlights the geopolitical complexities of the alliance’s expansion. For Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher.
