Natalia Yakovenko
Doctor of History, Full Professor, Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
DOI: 10.37837/2707-7683-2022-17
Abstract. The article highlights the diplomatic aspect of Ukraine-NATO relations during russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, launched in 2014. Ukraine’s diplomatic interaction with the North Atlantic Alliance already has a long and difficult history, which has radically changed the image of our country in the world. The indisputable principle on which the fruitful Ukraine-NATO relations are based is that without Ukraine’s involvement in the Alliance’s activities, it will be impossible to build indivisible security in Europe. In 2018, the Verkhovna Rada finally approved the amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine regarding the formulation of the idea of joining the EU and NATO. This decision consolidated Ukraine’s strategic course at joining the Alliance and the European Union and made it impossible to change that political course.
From the very beginning of the russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, NATO diplomacy was grounded on its steadfast position to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders. However, NATO declarations and statements regarding solidarity with Ukraine have become a staple feature of diplomacy of the Alliance.
During the russian-Ukrainian war, diplomatic interaction between Ukraine and the Alliance took place in the format of the Ukraine-NATO Commission (UNС). The process of Ukraine’s accession to NATO has been too long, and Kyiv is still trying to convey this to the Alliance. The author is arguing that if our country had taken the same steps as a number of other CEE states, having acquired the status of a full member of the Alliance, the unleashing of aggression by the russian federation could have been averted.
Keywords: russian-Ukrainian war, NATO, membership in the Alliance, NATO summit, Ukraine-NATO Commission, MAP.
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