22nd April 2023, Mumbai: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has called for the country to be granted full membership in NATO, rather than simply being invited to attend a summit. Kuleba stated that Ukraine has met all the criteria required for joining the alliance and that it’s time for NATO to take concrete steps to admit the country.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Kuleba said that Ukraine has undergone significant reforms in recent years and has modernized its military to meet NATO standards. He added that the country is fully committed to the alliance’s values and has demonstrated its willingness to contribute to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.
Kuleba’s comments come amid growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Moscow amassing troops near the Ukrainian border and in Crimea. The situation has raised concerns among NATO member states, who have expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
While NATO has not yet invited Ukraine to become a member, the country has been designated as an “Enhanced Opportunities Partner,” which grants it greater access to the alliance’s programs and activities. Additionally, NATO has provided support to Ukraine’s defense sector and has helped to train its military personnel.
However, many in Ukraine feel that these measures are not enough and that the country deserves full membership in NATO. Proponents of this view argue that Ukraine has suffered greatly as a result of Russian aggression and that membership in NATO would provide greater security and stability for the country.
Opponents of Ukraine’s NATO membership, however, argue that it would only further escalate tensions with Russia and that it could provoke a military response from Moscow. They also point to the fact that Ukraine has a significant Russian-speaking population and that membership in NATO could exacerbate existing divisions within the country.
Despite these concerns, Ukraine’s leadership remains committed to pursuing full membership in NATO. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for Ukraine to be admitted to the alliance and has emphasized the country’s strategic importance in the region.
In the face of ongoing Russian aggression and increasing instability in the region, it’s clear that Ukraine’s NATO membership is an issue that will continue to be debated in the coming months and years. Whether or not the country will be granted full membership remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that Kyiv is determined to make its case to the alliance and to the international community at large.