The Russian Federation has neither the right to vote nor the right to impose a veto in the North Atlantic Alliance. These words of the new Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte during his first visit to Ukraine in his new position definitely deserve applause and respect. It is difficult to understand them otherwise than as a clear confirmation that the decisions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are always and exclusively made by the members of the Alliance themselves. Without external pressure or dictation. Without looking back at external threats and timidity to make any decision. Such decisions are taken exclusively in the interests of strengthening transatlantic security, protection of fundamental values, freedom and democracy.
But for some reason, when the prospect of Ukraine joining the Alliance appears on the horizon, we again find ourselves in the grip of verbal equilibrium, competing in the search for new exotic formulas and bureaucratic refusals that do not benefit either Ukraine or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Bearing in mind all the vicissitudes of formation and development of Ukraine's partnership with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), I have enough reason to say that the current stage in our relations is exceptional. Now history seems to provide another chance, which we have no right to neglect. This is a real "window of opportunity" for both Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to demonstrate determination, strategic vision and responsibility. In addition, this is a good chance to finally correct the mistake of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Bucharest in 2008, which, I am sure, inspired the regime of Vladimir Putin to aggression against our independence and statehood.
If the Alliance had shown more courage at one time, things would be different today. The Russian Federation would never have dared to attack the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or any of its members, including Ukraine, because the consequences of this adventure would have been obvious, namely, everything would have ended with the crushing defeat of the aggressor. It was so yesterday, and even more so today, because since 2014 the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has grown and strengthened significantly, in particular by defining the requirement to spend at least 2% of the Gross domestic product (GDP) on security. In addition, it is also worth noting that the military power of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has increased throughout Europe, contingents have increased, awareness of the enemy, the potential of its weapons and capabilities has increased. The courage and self-sacrifice of Ukraine and our army breathed new life into the Alliance. At the same time, the "Bucharest syndrome" continues to show signs. This year, during the Washington Summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it manifested itself in the so-called irreversibility of Ukraine's membership in the Alliance. With such an approach, the only thing that will remain "irreversible" is the war unleashed by the Russian Federation, which is taking the lives of Ukrainian heroes and destroying the future of our state.
Victory over the Russian Federation and an end to the war are impossible without Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This is a fundamental truth that should be understood by the Ukrainian authorities and all allies, friends and even opponents. Only the accession of our country to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) can ensure long-term peace and security and deprive Moscow of the temptation of new military plans and the seizure of foreign lands. Everything that brings our state closer to this goal has absolute priority from the point of view of the best interests of Ukraine, primarily our security and future. Accordingly, apart from, of course, the criteria, the goal of our country's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cannot and should not be limited by any obstacles and time limits. Thus, nothing on our way to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should prevent Ukraine from joining the Alliance as soon as possible. Even a full-scale war in our country should not stand in the way of our plans.
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted many allies to change their previous conservative approaches. The key was the recognition that the fear of provoking an escalation on the part of the Russian Federation turned out to be a myth. The old warnings that nothing provokes an aggressor like weakness and a tendency to appeasement have been confirmed. It turned out that only the position of strength matters and is victorious. It is good that now all our friends and true allies understand this. And the circle of those who are still "afraid" to provoke an escalation on the part of the Russian Federation has narrowed to a minimum.
It is hard not to agree with James Stavridis, former Supreme Commander of the Joint Forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Europe, that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should actually seek Ukraine's accession. After all, among others in Europe, the Ukrainian army will be distinguished by "high professionalism, technological development and innovation." A country with such good characteristics should be part of the "North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) team".
Ukraine's membership in of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is the least expensive, and in fact, the cheapest and most effective solution for solving the entire complex of security challenges that the Russian Federation has been building for years.
It should be clearly understood that the day Ukraine joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be the day the war ends. Therefore, joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was clearly spelled out in the Constitution of Ukraine at one time. Receiving an official invitation to join the Alliance is only the first, but crucial step. The next step is real security guarantees in the transitional phase (like Sweden and Finland) on the principle of "not yet membership, but already protection". And then direct membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will await our country. All mature political forces, civil society and government should be united in this important mission, on the implementation of which our future depends.
As the saying goes, Americans are bound to do the right thing after trying all other options. It seems that this apt observation, attributed to the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, applies today not only to the United States of America, but also to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in particular to the opponents of inviting Ukraine to its ranks. In the history of our relations, we have overcome various stages, starting from the complete rejection of the idea of our country's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to the perspective of the Action Plan on Membership (APM) in the Alliance. From "open doors" and the adapted Annual Program of Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to regular formulas like "Ukraine is closer than ever to the Alliance." In other words, all options have been tested. If we are really so close to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and there is only one step left, and this is what the Alliance itself recognized when the Action Plan on Membership (APM) tool was removed from our rapprochement, then what (and why!) should we wait for?
If the door to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is open for Ukraine, then let us enter. It's time to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance if we really want to stop the war, win and return permanent peace, security and stability to Ukraine, Europe and the world.