NATO makes Ukraine’s annexation “irreversible”

The alliance is committed to continue supporting Ukraine “on its irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including membership in NATO.” The heads of state and government reiterated their commitment to Kiev’s gradual integration into the alliance in Washington this Wednesday. Now, this will come only if “the Allies agree to it and the conditions are met.”

The inclusion of the word “irreversible” strengthens the commitment on a theoretical level, but in practice it does not change anything. Until the war is over. As NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed during the press conference following the announcement: “The question now is not whether Ukraine will join NATO, but whether Ukraine will join NATO.” Nevertheless, Stoltenberg has stressed that Wednesday’s statement shows that members “really” want Kiev to be part of the alliance.

To build a “bridge” allowing Ukraine’s integration into the alliance, the allies have also agreed to provide “a minimum financing of 40 billion euros over the next year and to provide a sustainable level of security assistance so that Ukraine can win against Russia”. “A strong, independent and democratic Ukraine is vital to the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area,” NATO said in the text.

In addition, they have also announced the creation of a NATO Security Assistance and Training Unit (NSTAU) for Ukraine. This base, which will operate in the allied states, will serve to coordinate the supply of military equipment and the training of Ukrainian forces. According to what Michael Carpenter, director for Europe at the US National Security Council, announced on Monday, Germany will be the place where it will be established.

The text ensures that the creation of this entity does not violate international law and would not mean that NATO would enter into conflict with Russia. Since the war broke out in February 2022, Ukraine has become a line of defense against Russia’s expansionist aspirations. Strengthening this firewall is one of the main objectives of the summit to be held in Washington this week, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the alliance.

Russia is not the only country targeted by the declaration presented by the allies. In the text, NATO also speaks out against China and Iran, which it considers a threat to the “security” of member states. The Asian power has pursued “coercive policies” and the good rapport between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, “threatens to change the norms of the international order.” A fact that generates “deep concern” for the allies. Similarly, it accuses Iran of “providing direct military support” to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

“We can’t stay behind”

At the beginning of the session of the North Atlantic Council, the North American president, Joe Biden, warned of the importance of the rest of the allies holding back. “Russia is increasing the production of weapons. We cannot stay behind,” he assured this Wednesday. That is why NATO leaders have also committed to strengthen their industrial capacity in the defensive sector and to guarantee their supply chains.

This commitment involves each ally writing its own plan, deciding how to improve industrial capacity and reporting annually on measurable results. “Under my administration, $30 billion has been invested in defense,” Biden said as an example to his European partners. This figure is also not a coincidence, since in recent months members of the alliance have started working to reach 2% of GDP investment in defense.