“Peace looks like making sure Russia never, never, never, never occupies Ukraine. That's what peace looks like. And it doesn't mean NATO, they are part of NATO, it means we have a relationship with them like we do with other countries, where we supply weapons so they can defend themselves in the future.”
President Joe Biden, interview with TIME at the White House on May 28.
In the past 48 hours, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a new security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 meeting being held in Italy. It was one of several recently signed with G7 nations but given the nature of U.S. resources and its central role in NATO, it is the most important of all these agreements.
While a pathway to NATO exists, as confirmed last year’s NATO summit, the exact steps and timing of such membership for Ukraine remains unclear. Ukraine has had a relationship with NATO for over three decades. NATO cooperation and discussions commenced when Ukraine joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1991 and became a member of the Partnership for Peace programme in 1994. In 1997, a Charter on a Distinctive Partnership was signed.
Until a clear roadmap to NATO membership is confirmed, Ukraine’s next best option is signing bilateral security agreements of the type just agreed with the U.S.
What is the nature of the new agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. and what are the potential implications over the next decade?
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