Some Ukrainian media called meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on April 1 a historic victory. I agree to some extent, because the NATO has condemned the annexation of Crimea by Russia, and accordingly suspended the cooperation with this country. On the other hand, the world’s only collective defense-capable organization promised to provide support for Ukraine. The Day turned to direct participant of the meeting, Ambassador of Ukraine to the NATO and Belgium Ihor Dolhov with a request to tell what specific results Ukraine gained from this meeting of the Commission, in addition to the NATO’s support and condemnation of annexation of Crimea by Russia.
“All actions and decisions must be considered in their totality, both those that have occurred or have been adopted in the framework of the NATO and those that take place within the NATO-Ukraine Commission.
“Due to the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine, the NATO decided to strengthen its military presence in the alliance’s member states that border on Ukraine. This, and only this, is permitted by legal framework of the NATO, as referred to in Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
“However, this move is a response to a gauntlet that Russia has thrown to the entire progressive world when it invaded the independent Ukrainian state. It is also a reaction to the fact that Russia’s actions threaten peace and security in Europe and undermine the foundations of international law.
“The second component is what the NATO is doing in cooperation with Ukraine. It should be emphasized that the regulatory framework does not allow NATO forces to be deployed in the partner countries. Our nation is a special partner of the NATO.
“However, there are other forms of support and assistance, ranging from political and diplomatic to practical areas. Here, we got the entire amount of assistance that they could provide, from strong diplomatic actions in all possible formats, as evidenced, for example, by all NATO member states co-authoring the UN General Assembly resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, to the concrete practical steps, taken both at the NATO level and bilaterally, to support Ukraine and develop its capacities to counteract Russia’s actions by enhancing our defense sector and combat capability of the Armed forces of Ukraine.”
When and how will the NATO in general and its individual members actually provide real help to Ukraine, to increase the security and enhance defense of our country?
“We are already receiving help, and here we are talking about a wide range of support, from financing to military equipment. Some issues are deliberated on by the NATO, while practical assistance is provided on a bilateral basis.
“Again, I stress that this is not a question of willingness or unwillingness. It is a question of the legal basis and opportunities. The alliance helps Ukraine to the limit of its legal rights to help partners. Moreover, following the ministerial meetings held on April 1, decisions have been adopted that allow us to go much further in terms of interaction and move faster than provided by the Annual National Program of Cooperation between Ukraine and the NATO.
“Such measures can be divided into several areas:
“First, it is as intense political involvement with Ukraine at all levels and in all formats. This means, in particular, the active exchange of visits and joint efforts in the framework of other international organizations. And we are already seeing it in practice.
“Second, strong support in the areas of defense, civil emergency planning and critical infrastructure protection, including by means of special missions in Ukraine. And it is also already being done.
“Third, practical assistance in strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And to this end, a group of NATO experts will work in Ukraine next week.
“Fourth, the real contributions to support our scientific and technological capabilities, including through specific projects dealing with the most pressing issues. The NATO has already decided to increase financing for projects with Ukraine in the framework of the ‘Science for Peace’ program.
“Fifth, the joint airspace surveillance, including over the Black Sea.
“Sixth, the consolidation of assistance in case of emergencies in accordance with previous applications by Ukraine for immediate release as needed.
“The list remains open and can be completed according to the developments on the ground.”
Are these signals or messages sent by the ministerial summit enough to stop Vladimir Putin?
“Common sense and logic of progressive democratic community say that the message of these signals, as well as measures of political and diplomatic pressure, is more than enough.
“At the same time, Russia is intentionally or unintentionally, continuing to exhibit blindness and deafness. In this regard, the international community has resorted to a number of practical measures, the effect of which the Kremlin has already experienced.
“But our principled position is that in the 21st century, military response to an aggression would mean a return to the past. Moreover, we are talking about a country with which the Ukrainian people have and want to have friendly relations. Therefore, other methods are used.”
Can you comment on Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s statement, when he said that he saw no possibility of Ukraine joining the NATO? However, it was decided at the Bucharest Summit that Ukraine and Georgia, which were refused the MAP then because of the position of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will become members in the future.
“I just want to tell you that the program of the government of Ukraine has no provision for joining the NATO.
“First of all, our legislation currently in force prohibits it.
“Today Ukraine is a partner of the NATO, which qualitatively distinguishes it from other partners, and we use that status to the fullest.
“Upon our request for assistance in connection with the Russian aggression, the NATO opened for Ukraine every opportunity to further deepen political dialog and practical cooperation, the development of defense and security sectors, as well as the Armed Forces of Ukraine according to the most advanced standards applied in the NATO.
“Therefore, at this stage we use our opportunities to deepen interoperability with the alliance, and then, time will tell.
“The future of Ukraine will be decided by the Ukrainian people.
“This situation is not unique at the moment. This model is, for example, how the NATO-Sweden relations are developing. Sweden is 100 percent interoperable with the NATO countries and may at any time become a member of NATO. It would not need additional reforms for this. However, the Swedish society is not yet ready to make decisions on the country’s entry into NATO. Thus, Sweden remains a partner of the Alliance.”
