Ukraine–NATO relations#Russian opposition to Ukrainian NATO membership

Ukraine's Declaration of Sovereignty, adopted by parliament in 1990, declared it had the "intention of becoming a permanently neutral state that does not participate in military blocs and adheres to three nuclear free principles" (art. 9).

Relations between Ukraine and NATO were formally established in 1992, when Ukraine joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council after regaining its independence, later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411113805/http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-ukraine/topic.html#evolution |title=NATO's relations with Ukraine |archive-date=11 April 2007 |publisher=NATO Topics |url=http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-ukraine/topic.html}} On 22 and 23 February 1992, NATO Secretary-General Manfred Wörner paid an official visit to Kyiv, and on 8 July 1992, Kravchuk visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels. An important event in the development of relations between Ukraine and NATO was the opening in September 1992 of the Embassy of Ukraine in Brussels, which was a link in contacts between Ukraine and NATO.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

A few years later, in February 1994, Ukraine was the first post-Soviet country to conclude a framework agreement with NATO in the framework of the Partnership for Peace initiative, supporting the initiative of Central and Eastern European countries to join NATO.[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1frXpmi6Z0YtEN8MAtbNKI_ArZwX0ElCG/view]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182516/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1frXpmi6Z0YtEN8MAtbNKI_ArZwX0ElCG/view|date=18 January 2022}} Гущин А. В. Украина после Евромайдана. Пять лет кризиса и надежд: рабочая тетрадь № 54/2019 [А. В. Гущин, А. С. Левченков; гл. ред. И. С. Иванов; Российский совет по международным делам (РСМД). — М.: НП РСМД, 2019. — 60 с. — ISBN 978-5-6042566-5-7Serhy Yekelchyk "Ukraine: Birth of a Modern Nation", Oxford University Press (2007), {{ISBN|978-0-19-530546-3}}

File:Rumsfeld und Leonid Kutschma.jpg and President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. Partenit, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, 13 August 2004.]]

Leonid Kuchma, who became president in July 1994, signed the quadripartite Memorandum on security assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on 5 December. The memorandum prohibited the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States from threatening or using military force or economic coercion against Ukraine, "except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations." As a result of other agreements and the memorandum, between 1993 and 1996, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons.{{cite web |pages=101–134, 186 |last=Harahan |first=Joseph P. |year=2014 |url=https://www.dtra.mil/Portals/61/Documents/History/With%20Courage%20and%20Persistence%20CTR.pdf?ver=2016-05-09-102902-893 |url-status=live|title=With Courage and Persistence: Eliminating and Securing Weapons of Mass Destruction with the Nunn-Luger Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs |work=DTRA History Series |publisher=Defense Threat Reduction Agency|asin=B01LYEJ56H |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228153820/https://www.dtra.mil/Portals/61/Documents/History/With%20Courage%20and%20Persistence%20CTR.pdf?ver=2016-05-09-102902-893 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022}}{{cite news |title=Memorandum on security assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=0800000280401fbb |publisher=United Nations |date=5 December 1994 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402225036/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-60968546 |url-status=live }}

In the summer of 1995, Ukraine requested help{{cite web|url=http://ocha-gwapps1.unog.ch/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ACOS-64D8L5?OpenDocument |title=Ukraine-Kharkov Environmental Emergency Jul 1995: Situation Reports 1–4 (archive copy) |date=20 July 1995|accessdate=20 July 2010 |url-status=dead |publisher=ReliefWeb|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707005652/http://ocha-gwapps1.unog.ch/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ACOS-64D8L5?OpenDocument |archivedate=7 July 2011 }} to mitigate consequences of the Kharkiv drinking water disaster to the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs and to NATO. Various NATO countries and other organizations stepped up with medical and civil engineering assistance. This was the first cooperation between NATO and Ukraine.{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49158.htm |title=Civil preparedness |author= |date=7 June 2018 |website=nato.int |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125052312/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49158.htm |url-status=live }}

The Constitution of Ukraine, adopted in 1996 and based upon the Ukrainian Proclamation of Independence of 24 August 1991, contained the basic principles of non-coalition and future neutrality.{{cite web|url=http://www.e-ir.info/2010/11/30/ukraine%E2%80%99s-neutrality-a-myth-or-reality/|title=Ukraine's Neutrality: A Myth or Reality?|website=E-ir.info|access-date=8 September 2014|archive-date=8 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908181808/http://www.e-ir.info/2010/11/30/ukraine%E2%80%99s-neutrality-a-myth-or-reality/|url-status=live}}

Kuchma and Russian president Boris Yeltsin negotiated terms for dividing the Black Sea Fleet based in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, signing an interim treaty on 10 June 1995.[https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/10/world/russia-and-ukraine-settle-dispute-over-black-sea-fleet.html Russia and Ukraine Settle Dispute Over Black Sea Fleet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516155556/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/10/world/russia-and-ukraine-settle-dispute-over-black-sea-fleet.html |date=16 May 2022 }}, 10 June 1995 But Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov campaigned to claim the city of Sevastopol which housed the fleet's headquarters and main naval base, and in December the Russian Federation Council officially endorsed the claim. These Russian nationalist territorial claims spurred Ukraine to propose a "special partnership" with NATO in January 1997.{{Cite book |last=Glenn E. |first=Curtis |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/97007563 |title=Russia: A Country Study |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |year=1998 |isbn=0-8444-0866-2 |location=Washington DC |page=xcii |oclc=36351361 |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824200530/https://www.loc.gov/item/97007563 |url-status=live }} On 7 May 1997, the official NATO Information and Documentation Center opened in Kyiv; the Center aimed to foster transparency about the alliance.Gerald B. H. Solomon, Center for Strategic and International Studies. The NATO enlargement debate, 1990–1997, 1998, p. 120 A Ukrainian public opinion poll of 6 May showed 37% in favor of joining NATO with 28% opposed and 34% undecided.Solomon, Center for Strategic and International Studies, p. 121 On 9 July 1997, a NATO-Ukraine Commission was established.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/issues/nuc/index.html|title=NATO-Ukraine Commission|access-date=5 May 2009|archive-date=5 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805202843/http://www.nato.int/issues/nuc/index.html|url-status=dead}}

In 2002, relations of the governments of the United States and other NATO countries with Ukraine deteriorated after the Cassette Scandal revealed that Ukraine allegedly transferred a sophisticated Ukrainian defense system to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. At the NATO enlargement summit in November 2002, the NATO–Ukraine commission adopted a NATO-Ukraine Action Plan.{{cite news |title=NATO-Ukraine Action Plan |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_19547.htm |publisher=NATO |date=22 November 2002 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326154905/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_19547.htm |url-status=live }} President Kuchma's declaration that Ukraine wanted to join NATO (also in 2002) and the sending of Ukrainian troops to Iraq in 2003 could not mend relations between Kuchma and NATO. Until 2006 the Ukrainian Armed Forces worked with NATO in Iraq.{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=peacekeeping&sub=iraq |title=Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian peacekeeping personnel as a part of Multinational forces in Iraq (from Dec 2005) and NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I) (from Feb 2006) |publisher=Mil.gov.ua |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310141455/https://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=peacekeeping&sub=iraq |url-status=live }} Most officials believed it would be too risky to allow Ukraine to join NATO as it would upset Russia greatly.

On 6 April 2004, parliament adopted a law on the free access of NATO forces to the territory of Ukraine. On 15 June 2004, in the second edition of the Military Doctrine of Ukraine, approved by President Kuchma, a provision appeared on the implementation by Ukraine of a policy of Euro-Atlantic integration, the ultimate goal of which was to join NATO. However, already on 15 July 2004, following a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO commission, Kuchma issued a decree stating that joining NATO was no longer the country's goal – only "a significant deepening of relations with NATO and the European Union as guarantors of security and stability in Europe."{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3927000/3927721.stm |title=Украина передумала идти в НАТО и Евросоюз |date=26 July 2004 |access-date=16 January 2022 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124090849/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3927000/3927721.stm |url-status=live }}

File:Defense.gov News Photo 051024-F-5586B-016.jpg at the NATO–Ukraine consultations in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 24 October 2005]]

After the Orange Revolution in 2004, Kuchma was replaced by President Viktor Yushchenko, who is a keen supporter of Ukraine's NATO membership.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7312045.stm |title=Europe | Medvedev warns on Nato expansion |work=BBC News |date=25 March 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715012449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7312045.stm |url-status=live }}

In April 2005, Viktor Yushchenko returned to Ukraine's military doctrine the strategic goal of "full membership in NATO and the European Union". The new text read as follows: "Based on the fact that NATO and the EU are the guarantors of security and stability in Europe, Ukraine is preparing for full membership in these organizations." As in the previous version, the task of "deeply reforming the defense sphere of the state in accordance with European standards" was called "one of the most important priorities of domestic and foreign policy."{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} On 21 April 2005 in Vilnius, as part of an informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the NATO countries, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission was held, which opened a new stage in Ukraine's relations with the alliance – "intensive dialogue", which was intended to be the first step towards Ukraine's entry into NATO. During President Viktor Yushchenko's first official visit to the United States, President George W. Bush declared: "I am a supporter of the idea of Ukraine's membership in NATO." A joint official statement by the presidents of Ukraine and the United States said that Washington supported the proposal to start an intensified dialogue on Ukraine's accession to the NATO.{{Cite web |title=Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Viktor Yushchenko |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050404-1.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov}}

On 20 January 2006 in Budapest, following a meeting of defense ministers of Central European countries – NATO members – Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia (which was attended by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Anatoliy Hrytsenko) – it was announced that these states were ready to support Ukraine's entry into NATO. As stated, a necessary condition for this should be the support of this step by Ukrainian society and the achievement of internal stability in Ukraine.{{Cite news|title=NATO and Ukraine : At the crossroads |work=NATO REVIEW |url=https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2007/04/01/nato-and-ukraine-at-the-crossroads/index.html |archive-date=2022-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309030015/https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2007/04/01/nato-and-ukraine-at-the-crossroads/index.html |url-status=live }}

On 27 April 2006 at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, the representative of the NATO Secretary General, James Appathurai, stated that all members of the alliance support the speedy integration of Ukraine into NATO.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Russia, for its part, expressed concern about this development. As the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Kamynin stated, "de facto, we will talk about a serious military-political shift affecting the interests of Russia, which will require significant funds for the corresponding reorientation of military potentials, the reorganization of the system of military-industrial relations. Arrangements in the field of arms control may be affected.”{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

After the Party of Regions received the largest number of votes in the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election and the new government, headed by Viktor Yushchenko's political rival Viktor Yanukovych, was formed, there was a turn in Ukraine's foreign policy. By the end of 2006, not a single representative of the pro-presidential Our Ukraine bloc remained in the government. Viktor Yanukovych's foreign policy statements contradicted Yushchenko's course.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Yanukovych's premiership ended following 2007 parliamentary election, when Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense Bloc formed a coalition government, with Yulia Tymoshenko as Prime Minister.

At the beginning of 2008, the Ukrainian President, Prime Minister, and head of parliament sent an official letter (the so-called "letter of three") to apply for a Membership Action Plan (MAP).{{cite news |title=Crisis, Ukraine-NATO: what did Ukraine experience in 2008 |url=https://uatv.ua/en/crisis-ukraine-nato-what-did-ukraine-experience-in-2008/ |publisher=UATV |date=5 October 2021 |access-date=14 August 2022 |archive-date=14 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814210417/https://uatv.ua/en/crisis-ukraine-nato-what-did-ukraine-experience-in-2008/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ukraine applied to join NATO in 2008, application not withdrawn, final decision on country's entry should now be made by NATO members – Stefanishyna |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/833852.html |publisher=Interfax-Ukraine |date=21 May 2022 |access-date=14 August 2022 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624130053/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/833852.html |url-status=live }} At the beginning of 2008 the work of parliament was blocked for two months due, according to at least one observer, to this letter.

Ukrainian membership in NATO gained support from a number of NATO leaders.{{cite news|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?cl=22855|title=President Gašparovič meets Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister|work=The Slovak Spectator|date=20 March 2006|access-date=20 September 2008|first=Marta|last=Ďurianová|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012171615/http://slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?cl=22855|archive-date=12 October 2007}} However, it was opposed by opposition parties within Ukraine, who called for a national referendum on any steps towards further involvement with NATO. A petition with over 2 million signatures called for a referendum on Ukraine's membership proposal to join NATO. In February 2008, 57.8% of Ukrainians supported the idea of a national referendum on joining NATO, against 38.6% in February 2007.{{Cite web|date=11 February 2008|title=Half of Ukrainians opposed to Ukraine's membership of NATO, poll indicates|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/en/press-center/press-conference/106882/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604014018/http://www.interfax.com.ua/en/press-center/press-conference/106882/|archive-date=4 June 2008|website=Interfax-Ukraine}} Ukrainian politicians such as Yuriy Yekhanurov and Yulia Tymoshenko stated that Ukraine would not join NATO as long as the public continued opposing the move.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} Later that year, the Ukrainian government started an information campaign, aimed at informing the Ukrainian people about the benefits of membership.{{cite web|url=http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=4735634&PageNum=0|title=Itar-Tass|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011014619/http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=4735634&PageNum=0|archive-date=11 October 2010}}

In January 2008, US Senator Richard Lugar said: "Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Parliamentary chairman Arsenii Yatsenyuk have signed the statement calling for consideration on Ukraine's entry into the NATO via the MAP programme at the Bucharest summit."{{cite web |url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-231009.html |title=Ukraine asks to join NATO membership action plan : Ukraine News by UNIAN |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=16 January 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213011028/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-231009.html |url-status=live }} The Ukrainian parliament, headed by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, was unable to hold its regular parliamentary session following the decision of the parliamentary opposition to prevent parliament from functioning, as a protest against joining NATO. The parliament was blocked from 25 January 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-232630.html |title=Party of Regions blocks rostrum in parliament : Ukraine News by UNIAN |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=25 January 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213011051/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-232630.html |url-status=live }} until 4 March 2008 (on 29 February 2008 faction leaders agreed on a protocol of mutual understanding).{{cite web |url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-238859.html |title=Verkhovna Rada to resume work on Tuesday – Yatsenyuk : Ukraine News by UNIAN |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=29 February 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213011059/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-238859.html |url-status=live }}

US President George W. Bush and both nominees for President of the United States in the 2008 election, U.S. senator Barack Obama and U.S. senator John McCain, backed Ukraine's membership in NATO.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7322830.stm | work=BBC News | title=Bush to back Ukraine's Nato hopes | date=1 April 2008 | access-date=26 May 2010 | archive-date=9 February 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124820/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7322830.stm | url-status=live }}[http://obama.senate.gov/press/080128-obama_statement_118/ Obama Statement on Ukraine's Commitment to Join NATO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625233932/http://obama.senate.gov/press/080128-obama_statement_118/ |date=25 June 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nysun.com/national/mccain-backs-tougher-line-against-russia/73750/ |title=McCain Backs Tougher Line Against Russia – March 27, 2008 – The New York Sun |publisher=Nysun.com |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203062524/https://www.nysun.com/national/mccain-backs-tougher-line-against-russia/73750/ |url-status=live }} Russian reactions were negative. In April 2008, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out against Ukraine's potential membership in NATO.{{cite news |title=Bush-Putin row grows as pact pushes east |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/02/nato.georgia |work=The Guardian |date=2 April 2008 |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208091130/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/02/nato.georgia |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Putin warns Nato over expansion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/04/nato.russia |work=The Guardian |date=4 April 2008 |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213213527/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/04/nato.russia |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2008 Bucharest summit}}

At the NATO summit in Bucharest in April 2008, NATO decided it would not yet offer membership to Georgia and Ukraine; nevertheless, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that those two countries would eventually become members. Even though it was a powerful statement, one person cannot guarantee membership, especially before a country has applied for membership. Each existing member must approve an applicant country before NATO membership can be attained; in addition, conditions can be set on applicant countries before joining the organization.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7328276.stm | work=BBC News | title=Nato denies Georgia and Ukraine | date=3 April 2008 | access-date=26 May 2010 | archive-date=22 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322224515/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7328276.stm | url-status=live }} Resistance reportedly came from France and Germany.{{cite news | url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/91750/ | work=Kyiv Post | title=At key time, French resist NATO membership for Ukraine, Georgia | date=30 November 2010 | access-date=30 November 2010 | archive-date=27 January 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127081338/https://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/91750/ | url-status=live }} Russia invaded Georgia less than four months later in August 2008.{{cite web | url=https://www.commentary.org/articles/james-kirchick/a-little-war-that-shook-the-world-by-ronald-d-asmus/ | title=A Little War that Shook the World, by Ronald D. Asmus | date=July 2010 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.commentary.org/seth-mandel/nato-expansion-georgia/ | title=Is NATO Expansion Really More Dangerous Than the Status Quo? | date=February 2012 }}{{cite web | url=https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/in_the_news_James_Kirchick_Commentary_Magazine_press_room_press_release/2112336.html | title=Little War, Big Problem - Kirchick in 'Commentary' | date=28 July 2010 }}

In November 2008, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and Ukrainian minister of defence Anatoliy Hrytsenko doubted Ukraine would be granted a NATO MAP at NATO's December meeting.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/162006.html |title=Ukrainian News |publisher=Ukranews.com |access-date=4 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102404/http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/162006.html |archive-date=7 April 2014 }} In a Times of London interview in late November, Yushchenko stated: "Ukraine has done everything it had to do. We are devoted to this pace. Everything else is an issue of political will of those allies who represent NATO."{{cite web |url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-285767.html |title=European media publish interviews with President Yushchenko : UNIAN news |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=21 November 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213012116/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-285767.html |url-status=live }} Although NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General Aurelia Bouchez{{#tag:ref|During a NATO conference in Hungarian Parliament on 20 November, she said "We should not make a choice between NATO enlargement and Russia as we need both."[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-285669.html NATO official: NATO needs both enlargement, Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213012140/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-285669.html |date=13 February 2012 }}, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (20 November 2008)|group=nb}} and Secretary-General Scheffer{{#tag:ref|He told a conference in Spain: "The emergence of independent states within the former Soviet space is a reality. The ability of these states to determine their own future is a litmus test for the new Europe. Do we have to choose between good relations with Russia and further enlargement? My answer is no – we will not choose, will not sacrifice one for the other. It would bring new dividing lines."[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-285528.html Don't turn deaf ear to Ukraine Nato bid, Viktor Yushchenko begs allies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213012203/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-285528.html |date=13 February 2012 }}, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (20 November 2008)|group=nb}} still supported Ukraine's NATO bid at the time, the Bush administration seemed not to push for Georgian and Ukrainian MAPs in late November 2008. Condoleezza Rice told a press conference, "We believe that the NATO-Georgia Commission and the NATO-Ukraine Commission can be the bodies with which we intensify our dialogue and our activities. And, therefore, there does not need at this point in time to be any discussion of MAP."[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-286985.html US gives way on Nato for Georgia and Ukraine – FT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222083835/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-286985.html |date=22 February 2012 }}, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (27 November 2008) President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev responded that "reason has prevailed".{{cite web |url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-287102.html |title=Russia happy US dropped push for new NATO members : UNIAN news |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=28 November 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222083846/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-287102.html |url-status=live }} On 3 December 2008, NATO decided on an Annual National Programme of providing assistance to Ukraine to implement reforms required to accede to the alliance without referring to a MAP.[http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/166745.html NATO To Work Out National Programme Of Assistance To Ukraine For Acceding Alliance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308095608/https://ukranews.com/eng/article/166745.html |date=8 March 2021 }}, Ukrainian News Agency (3 December 2008)]{{cite news |title=NATO-UKRAINE ANNUAL TARGET PLAN FOR THE YEAR 2008 IN THE FRAMEWORKS OF NATO-UKRAINE ACTION PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |url=https://www.nato.int/docu/basictxt/b080401nuc-atp-e.pdf |publisher=NATO |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917052017/http://www.nato.int/docu/basictxt/b080401nuc-atp-e.pdf |url-status=live }} undated.

At the NATO-Ukraine consultations at the level of defense ministers held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels in November 2009, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen praised Ukraine's first Annual National Program, which outlined the steps it intended to take to accelerate internal reform and alignment with Euro-Atlantic standards, as an important step on Ukraine's path to becoming a member of the Alliance.[http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/25088/ NATO Secretary General says Annual National Program is important step on Ukraine's path to membership in Alliance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329012353/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/25088/ |date=29 March 2012 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (16 November 2009)

During the 2010 presidential election campaign, Party of Regions leader and candidate Viktor Yanukovych stated that the current level of Ukraine's cooperation with NATO was sufficient and that the question of the country's accession to the alliance was therefore not urgent.{{cite web|url=http://www.theworldreporter.com/2011/10/europe-or-russia-whom-will-ukraine.html|title=Europe or Russia? Whom will Ukraine Choose?|work=The World Reporter|date=21 October 2011|access-date=21 October 2011|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125052326/http://www.theworldreporter.com/2011/10/europe-or-russia-whom-will-ukraine.html|url-status=live}}[http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/29568/ Yanukovych describes current level of Ukraine's cooperation with NATO as sufficient] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515211754/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/29568/ |date=15 May 2012 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (12 January 2010) Yanukovych's victory in the election marked a turnaround in Ukraine's relations with NATO. On 14 February 2010, Yanukovych said that Ukraine's relations with NATO were currently "well-defined", and that there was "no question of Ukraine joining NATO". He said the issue of Ukrainian membership of NATO might "emerge at some point, but we will not see it in the immediate future".{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} On 1 March 2010, during his visit to Brussels, Yanukovych said that there would be no change to Ukraine's status as a member of the alliance's outreach program.[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/60720/ Ukraine's Yanukovych: EU ties a 'key priority'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614034828/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/60720/ |date=14 June 2012 }}, Kyiv Post (1 March 2010) He later reiterated, during a trip to Moscow, that Ukraine would remain a "European, non-aligned state".[http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=227513 Ukraine vows new page in ties with Russia]{{dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved on 9 March 2010{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/7774665/Ukraine-drops-Nato-membership-pursuit.html |title=Ukraine drops Nato membership pursuit |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=28 May 2010 |access-date=7 June 2010 |archive-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/7774665/Ukraine-drops-Nato-membership-pursuit.html |url-status=live }}

As of May 2010, NATO and Ukraine continued to cooperate in the framework of the Annual National Program,[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67634/ NATO considers Ukraine's behavior 'unprecedented'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528032208/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67634/ |date=28 May 2010 }}, Kyiv Post (25 May 2010) including joint exercises.[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67694/ NATO: Euro-Atlantic prospects a sovereign right of Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528085607/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67694/ |date=28 May 2010 }}, Kyiv Post (26 May 2010) According to Ukraine, the continuation of Ukraine-NATO cooperation would not exclude the development of a strategic partnership with Russia.[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67685/ Havrysh: Ukraine-NATO cooperation not excluding strategic partnership between Moscow, Kyiv], Kyiv Post (26 May 2010) On 27 May 2010, Yanukovych stated that he considered Ukraine's relations with NATO as a partnership, "And Ukraine can't live without this [partnership], because Ukraine is a large country."[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67830/ Yanukovych: Ukraine currently not ready to join NATO] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121206032722/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67830/ |date=6 December 2012 }}, Kyiv Post (27 May 2010) On 3 June 2010, the Ukrainian parliament passed a bill, proposed by the President, that excluded the goal of "integration into Euro-Atlantic security and NATO membership" from the country's national security strategy.[http://euobserver.com/24/30212 Ukraine drops NATO membership bid], EUobserver (6 June 2010) The law precluded Ukraine's membership in any military bloc, but allowed for co-operation with alliances such as NATO.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10229626.stm Ukraine's parliament votes to abandon Nato ambitions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606172535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10229626.stm |date=6 June 2010 }}, BBC News (3 June 2010) According to at least one encyclopedia, this marks "when [the Ukrainian government] officially abandoned its goal of joining NATO",{{cite news |title=The Orange Revolution and the Yushchenko presidency |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine/The-crisis-in-Crimea-and-eastern-Ukraine |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=14 August 2022 |archive-date=21 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821023150/https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine/The-crisis-in-Crimea-and-eastern-Ukraine |url-status=live }} although as late as May 2022, according to a member of the Shmyhal Government (Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna), the "letter of three" had "not been withdrawn since then." "European integration" was still part of Ukraine's national security strategy.

On 24 June 2010 the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers approved an action plan to implement an annual national program of cooperation with NATO that year.[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/70823/ Cabinet approves action plan for annual national program of cooperation with NATO in 2010], Kyiv Post (24 June 2010) This included:

• Involvement of Ukrainian aviation and transport material in the transportation of cargo and personnel of the armed forces of NATO's member states and partners participating in NATO-led peacekeeping missions and operations;
• The continuation of Ukraine's participation in a peacekeeping operation in Kosovo;
• Possible reinforcing of Ukraine's peacekeeping contingents in Afghanistan and Iraq;
• Ukraine's participation in a number of international events organized by NATO;
• Training of Ukrainian troops in the structures of NATO members.

Ukraine and NATO continued to hold joint seminars and joint tactical and strategical exercises and operations during the Yanukovych Presidency.[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/124954/ Ukraine, NATO to hold security exercises during Euro 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608113700/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/124954/ |date=8 June 2012 }}, Kyiv Post (26 March 2012)
[http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/yanukovych-signs-decree-on-ukraine-nato-annual-cooperation-programs/ Yanukovych signs decree on Ukraine-NATO annual cooperation programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225134456/https://interfax.com/ |date=25 February 2022 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (12 June 2013)
[http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2011/08/04/military-manoeuvres-in-ukraine/ Military manoeuvres in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016010439/http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2011/08/04/military-manoeuvres-in-ukraine/ |date=16 October 2013 |website=www.euronews.com }}[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/126344/ Yanukovych approves program of Ukraine-NATO cooperation for 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518180412/https://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/126344/ |date=18 May 2012 }}, Kyiv Post (20 April 2012)

File:Poroschenko Merkel and Biden Security Conference February 2015.jpg with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vice President of the United States Joe Biden, February 2015]]

File:Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division train Ukrainian Soldiers on trigger squeeze.jpg, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division train Ukrainian soldiers on trigger squeeze during a 2016 drill.]]

Yanukovych fled Ukraine amid the Euromaidan uprising in February 2014.{{cite news |date=23 December 2014 |title=Ukraine has no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration – Poroshenko |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503213649/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html |archive-date=3 May 2021 |access-date=24 December 2014 |agency=Interfax-Ukraine}} NATO officials vowed support for Ukraine and worked to downplay tensions between NATO and Russia.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-breedlove-idUSBREA1Q1F220140227|title=NATO commander plays down tension with Russia over Ukraine|date=27 February 2014|access-date=27 February 2014|work=Reuters|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217214907/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-breedlove-idUSBREA1Q1F220140227|url-status=live}} In late February 2014, Secretary-General Rasmussen reaffirmed that NATO membership was still an option for Ukraine.{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/26/door-to-nato-remains-open-for-ukraine/|agency=Euronews|title=Door to NATO remains open for Ukraine|date=26 February 2014|access-date=27 February 2014|website=euronews.com|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118035504/https://www.euronews.com/2014/02/26/door-to-nato-remains-open-for-ukraine|url-status=dead}} As a result of this revolution, the interim Yatsenyuk Government came to power on 26 February.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193035.html Maidan nominates Yatsenyuk for prime minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001173957/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193035.html |date=1 October 2019 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (26 February 2014)[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193222.html Ukrainian parliament endorses new cabinet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019103909/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/193222.html |date=19 October 2017 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (27 February 2014) The Yatsenyuk Government initially stated that it did not intend to make Ukraine a member of NATO. Petro Poroshenko was elected president on 25 May 2014.{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-talks-set-to-open-without-pro-russian-separatists/2014/05/14/621dbc6a-c7d9-40bc-b2e5-814a4108bbef_story.html |title= Ukraine talks set to open without pro-Russian separatists |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= 14 May 2014 |access-date= 29 May 2014 |archive-date= 16 January 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210116163442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-talks-set-to-open-without-pro-russian-separatists/2014/05/14/621dbc6a-c7d9-40bc-b2e5-814a4108bbef_story.html |url-status= live }}{{cite news |date= 22 May 2014 |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27518989|title=Ukraine elections: Runners and risks | work = BBC News |access-date= 29 May 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140527092109/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27518989 |archive-date= 27 May 2014 |url-status= live}}{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8460978.stm |title=Q&A: Ukraine presidential election| work= BBC News |date=7 February 2010 |access-date= 29 May 2014 |url-status= live |archive-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140429045939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8460978.stm}}{{cite web |publisher= Radio Ukraine International|access-date=29 May 2014|url= http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/566632/ |title=Poroshenko wins presidential election with 54.7% of vote – CEC|date=29 May 2014 |archive-date= 29 May 2014 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140529212731/http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/566632/}}{{cite news |publisher= Телеграф |url= http://telegraf.com.ua/ukraina/politika/1300294-rezultatyi-vyiborov-prezidenta-ukrainyi-2014-tsik-obrabotala-51-99.html |script-title= ru:Внеочередные выборы Президента Украины |trans-title= Results election of Ukrainian president |date= 29 May 2014 |access-date=29 May 2014 |language= ru|url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140529233925/http://telegraf.com.ua/ukraina/politika/1300294-rezultatyi-vyiborov-prezidenta-ukrainyi-2014-tsik-obrabotala-51-99.html|archive-date=29 May 2014}}{{cite news |url= http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/205114.html |title= New Ukrainian president will be elected for 5-year term – Constitutional Court |date= 16 May 2014 |access-date= 29 May 2014 |agency= Interfax-Ukraine |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121006/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/205114.html |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status= live}} On 1 October 2014, Jens Stoltenberg took over the position of NATO Secretary-General.{{cite web |date=28 March 2014 |url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_108390.htm |title=Appointment of Secretary General designate |publisher=North Atlantic Treaty Organization |access-date=28 March 2014 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329003105/http://www.nato.int/RKSWU/cps/en/natolive/news_108390.htm |url-status=live }}

On 29 August 2014, following reports that the Russian military was operating within Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced that he would ask the Ukrainian parliament to put Ukraine on a path towards NATO membership.{{cite news |title= Ukraine crisis: PM Yatsenyuk to seek Nato membership |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28978699 |access-date= 29 August 2014 |work= BBC News |date= 29 August 2014 |archive-date= 2 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220202171516/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28978699 |url-status= live }} The government also signaled that it hoped for major non-NATO ally status with the United States, NATO's largest military power and contributor.{{cite news |url= https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-hopes-for-us-assistance-in-granting-ukraine-major-non-nato-ally-status-362449.html |work= Kyiv Post |title= Ukraine hopes for US assistance in granting Ukraine major non-NATO ally status |date= 28 August 2014 |access-date= 29 August 2014 |archive-date= 24 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160124092127/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-hopes-for-us-assistance-in-granting-ukraine-major-non-nato-ally-status-362449.html |url-status= live }} As part of these efforts, and to rule out future Ukrainian membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and other Russian-led supranational entities, Yatsenyuk also submitted a draft law to repeal Ukraine's non-aligned status previously instituted by Yanukovych.{{cite news|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/747206|agency=Information Telegraph Agency of Russia|title=Ukraine to initiate cancellation of Ukraine's non-bloc status, seek NATO membership|date=29 August 2014|access-date=29 August 2014|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010140834/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/747206|url-status=dead}} Following parliamentary elections in October 2014, the new government made joining NATO a priority.

On 23 December 2014, the Ukrainian parliament renounced Ukraine's non-aligned status, a step harshly condemned by Russia.{{Cite news |last=Cullison |first=Nick Shchetko and Alan |title=Ukraine Ends 'Nonaligned' Status, Earning Quick Rebuke From Russia |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226 |access-date=2022-12-02 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=23 December 2014 |language=en-US |archive-date=12 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112145427/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226 |url-status=live }} The new law stated that Ukraine's previous non-aligned status "proved to be ineffective in guaranteeing Ukraine's security and protecting the country from external aggression and pressure" and also aimed to deepen Ukrainian cooperation with NATO "to achieve the criteria which are required for membership in the alliance." On 29 December 2014, Poroshenko vowed to hold a referendum on joining NATO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2014/12/30/new-year-new-hope-as-ukraine-paves-way-for-nato-membership|title=New Year, new hope as Ukraine paves way for NATO membership|date=30 December 2014|website=euronews.com|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129091017/https://www.euronews.com/2014/12/30/new-year-new-hope-as-ukraine-paves-way-for-nato-membership|url-status=live}}

A number of joint military exercises between NATO members and Ukraine were planned in 2015.{{Cite web |url=http://ukraineunderattack.org/en/poroshenko-approved-plan-for-multinational-exercises-involving-armed-forces-units-in-2015.html |title=Poroshenko Approved Plan for multinational Exercises Involving Armed Forces' Units in 2015 | Ukraine Under Attack |access-date=16 April 2015 |archive-date=16 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416091053/http://ukraineunderattack.org/en/poroshenko-approved-plan-for-multinational-exercises-involving-armed-forces-units-in-2015.html |url-status=dead }} Among them were Operation Fearless Guardian (OFG), which totalled 2,200 participants, including 1,000 U.S. military. Initial personnel and equipment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived in Yavoriv, Lviv Oblast, on 10 April 2015. OFG would train Ukraine's newly formed Ukraine National Guard under the Congressionally-approved Global Security Contingency Fund. Under the program, the US Army was to train three battalions of Ukrainian troops over a six-month period beginning in April 2015.U.S. Army Europe, [https://www.army.mil/article/146317/Fearless_Guardian_ground_convoy_arrives_in_Ukraine/ Fearless Guardian ground convoy arrives in Ukraine] , 10 April 2015 Other initiatives included Exercise Sea Breeze 2015 (totalling 2,500 personnel of which 1,000 US military and 500 military from NATO or "Partnership for Peace" countries), "Saber Guardian/Rapid Trident – 2015" (totalling 2,100 members, including 500 US military and 600 NATO/PfP personnel), as well as the Ukrainian-Polish air exercise "Safe Skies – 2015" (totalling 350 participants, including 100 Polish military), and military police–focused exercise "Law and Order – 2015" (totalling 100 participants, 50 of which were Polish military).{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

In September 2015, NATO established five trust funds totalling €5.4 million for the Ukrainian army. €2 million were targeted at the modernization of communication systems, €1.2 million to reform the logistic and standardization systems, €845,000 for physical rehabilitation and prostheses, €815,000 for cyber defense, and €410,000 for retraining and resettlement.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

In March 2016, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker stated that it would take at least 20–25 years for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO.[http://www.rferl.org/content/juncker-says-ukraine-not-likely-join-eu-nato-for-20-25-years/27588682.html Juncker Says Ukraine Not Likely To Join EU, NATO For 20–25 Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811030116/http://www.rferl.org/content/juncker-says-ukraine-not-likely-join-eu-nato-for-20-25-years/27588682.html |date=11 August 2016 }}. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Published on 4 March 2016.

{{anchor|CAPU}} In July 2016, NATO published a summary of the Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAPU) after a Heads of State meeting in Warsaw. Ukraine declared a goal for their armed forces to become interoperable with those of NATO by 2020; the CAPU was designed to meet the needs of this process. The CAPU contained more than 40 targeted support measures in key areas:{{cite news |title=Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine |publisher=NATO Public Diplomacy Division |date=July 2016 |url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/pdf_2016_09/20160920_160920-compreh-ass-package-ukraine-en.pdf |access-date=7 December 2022 |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207224233/https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/pdf_2016_09/20160920_160920-compreh-ass-package-ukraine-en.pdf |url-status=live }}

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1. Capacity and Institution Building
2. Command and Control, Communications, and Computers (C4)
3. Logistics and Standardization
4. Defence Technical Cooperation
5. Cyber Defence
6. Medical Rehabilitation
7. Counter–Improvised Explosive Devices, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and Demining
8. Security-related science
9. Strategic communications
10. Countering Hybrid Warfare
11. Security Services Reform
12. Civil Emergency Planning
13. Energy Security

{{div-col-end}}

File:Ukraine – NATO Commission chaired by Petro Poroshenko (2017-07-10) 05.jpg and Petro Poroshenko, 10 July 2017]]

On 8 June 2017, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law making integration with NATO a foreign policy priority.{{Cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/427216.html|title=Rada restores Ukraine's course for NATO membership as foreign policy priority|date=8 June 2017|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125204927/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/427216.html|url-status=live}} In July 2017, Poroshenko announced that he would seek the opening of negotiations on a MAP with NATO.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-nato-idUSKBN19V12V|title=Pledging reforms by 2020, Ukraine seeks route into NATO|date=10 July 2017|access-date=22 July 2017|work=Reuters|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424033254/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-nato-idUSKBN19V12V|url-status=live}} In that same month, President Poroshenko began proposing a "patronage system" that tied individual Ukrainian regions to various European States.{{Cite news|url=https://calrev.org/2018/09/02/president-poroshenko-seeks-european-patronage-in-donbass-region/?v=7516fd43adaa|title=President Poroshenko Seeks European "Patronage" in Donbass Region|last=Genin|first=Aaron|date=2 September 2018|work=The California Review|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-date=29 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329072531/https://calrev.org/2018/09/02/president-poroshenko-seeks-european-patronage-in-donbass-region/?v=7516fd43adaa|url-status=dead}}

On 10 March 2018, NATO added Ukraine to the list of NATO aspiring members (which also included Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia). Several months later, in late June, Ukraine's parliament passed a National Security bill: the bill defined the principles of state policy on national security and defence as well as focusing on Ukraine's integration into the European security, economic, and legal systems; improvement in mutual relations with other states; and eventual membership in EU and NATO.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

On 20 September 2018, parliament approved amendments to the constitution that would make the accession of the country to NATO and the EU a central goal and the main foreign policy objective.{{cite web |title= Ukraine pushes ahead with plans to secure NATO membership |url= https://www.apnews.com/dff40992fcc446f6808d02d03b35e4bc |work= Associated Press |date= 20 September 2018 |access-date= 15 October 2018 |archive-date= 4 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220204000512/https://apnews.com/dff40992fcc446f6808d02d03b35e4bc |url-status= live }}

On 7 February 2019, the Ukrainian parliament voted with a majority of 334 out of 385 to change the Ukrainian constitution to help Ukraine to join NATO and the European Union.{{Cite web |url= https://www.unian.info/politics/10437570-ukraine-s-parliament-backs-changes-to-constitution-confirming-ukraine-s-path-toward-eu-nato.html |title= Ukraine's parliament backs changes to Constitution confirming Ukraine's path toward EU, NATO |date= 7 February 2019 |agency= Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |access-date= 7 February 2019 |archive-date= 15 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220215054226/https://www.unian.info/politics/10437570-ukraine-s-parliament-backs-changes-to-constitution-confirming-ukraine-s-path-toward-eu-nato.html |url-status= live }} After the vote, Poroshenko declared: "This is the day when the movement of Ukraine to the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance will be consolidated in the Constitution as a foreign political landmark."{{Cite web |url= https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/mi-jdemo-svoyim-shlyahom-i-cej-shlyah-do-chlenstva-ukrayini-52982 |title= We are going our way and this is the way to Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO – President |date= 7 February 2019 |publisher= The President of Ukraine |access-date= 7 February 2019 |archive-date= 26 April 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190426160112/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/mi-jdemo-svoyim-shlyahom-i-cej-shlyah-do-chlenstva-ukrayini-52982 |url-status= live }}

{{See also|Minsk agreements|Normandy Format#Phases|Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine}}

File:Volodymyr Zelensky visits Brussels 2019.jpg with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg in June 2019]]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was inaugurated on 20 May 2019.{{cite news |title=Ukraine's New President Vows To Dissolve Parliament As PM, Other Key Officials Resign |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/29951792.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520043757/https://www.rferl.org/a/29951792.html |archive-date=20 May 2019 |access-date=20 May 2019 |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=20 May 2019 }} On 12 June 2020, Ukraine joined NATO's enhanced opportunity partner interoperability program.{{#tag:ref|Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan, and Sweden are also NATO's enhanced opportunity partner program partners.|group=nb}}[https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-grants-ukraine-enhanced-opportunities-partner-status/30667898.html NATO Grants Ukraine 'Enhanced Opportunities Partner' Status] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125052314/https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-grants-ukraine-enhanced-opportunities-partner-status/30667898.html |date=25 January 2022 }}, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (12 June 2020) According to an official NATO statement, the new status "does not prejudge any decisions on NATO membership."

On 14 September 2020, Zelenskyy approved Ukraine's new National Security Strategy, "which provides for the development of the distinctive partnership with NATO with the aim of membership in NATO."{{cite news |title=Infographic: Military capabilities of Russia and Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/25/infographic-military-capabilities-of-russia-and-ukraine-interactive |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215002641/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/25/infographic-military-capabilities-of-russia-and-ukraine-interactive |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Relations with Ukraine |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_37750.htm |work=Nato.int |date=11 January 2022 |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215011708/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_37750.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Russia as aggressor, NATO as objective: Ukraine's new National Security Strategy |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russia-as-aggressor-nato-as-objective-ukraines-new-national-security-strategy/ |work=Atlantic Council |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216000921/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russia-as-aggressor-nato-as-objective-ukraines-new-national-security-strategy/ |url-status=live }} On 8 October 2020, during a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needed a NATO MAP, as NATO membership would contribute to Ukraine's security and defense.{{Cite web |url=https://www.unn.com.ua/uk/news/1896076-zelenskiy-u-britaniyi-zayaviv-scho-ukrayini-potriben-pdch-v-nato |title=Зеленський у Британії заявив, що Україні потрібен ПДЧ в НАТО |trans-title=Zelenskyy said in Britain that Ukraine needed a MAP in NATO |date=8 October 2020 |website=Інформаційне агентство Українські Національні Новини (УНН). Всі онлайн новини дня в Україні за сьогодні – найсвіжіші, останні, головні. |access-date=9 October 2020 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224181416/https://www.unn.com.ua/uk/news/1896076-zelenskiy-u-britaniyi-zayaviv-scho-ukrayini-potriben-pdch-v-nato |url-status=live }}

On 1 December 2020, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Taran stated that Ukraine had clearly stated its ambitions to obtain the NATO MAP and hoped for comprehensive political and military support at the next Alliance Summit in 2021. Taran urged the ambassadors and military attaches of NATO member states, as well as representatives of the NATO office in Ukraine, to inform their capitals that Ukraine would hope for their full politico-military support in reaching such a decision at the next NATO Summit in 2021. This should be a practical step and a demonstration of commitment to the 2008 Bucharest Summit.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2020/12/01/ambiczii-ukraini-otrimati-plan-dij-shhodo-chlenstva-na-samiti-nato-u-2021-roczi-andrij-taran/ |title=Новини |website=Міністерство оборони України |access-date=1 December 2020 |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202183030/https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2020/12/01/ambiczii-ukraini-otrimati-plan-dij-shhodo-chlenstva-na-samiti-nato-u-2021-roczi-andrij-taran/ |url-status=live }}

At the end of November 2020, it became known that the NATO Summit in 2021 would consider the issue of returning to an "open door policy", including the issue of providing Georgia with a MAP. On 9 February 2021, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, stated that he hoped that Ukraine would be able to receive an action plan for NATO membership at the same time as Georgia.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/02/9/7282873/ |title=Україна хоче отримати ПДЧ разом із Грузією – Шмигаль |trans-title=Ukraine wants to get a MAP together with Georgia – Shmyhal |website=Українська правда |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513224140/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/02/9/7282873/ |url-status=live }} In response, the NATO Secretary-General confirmed, during Shmyhal's visit to Brussels, that Ukraine was a candidate for NATO membership.{{Cite web |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/premyer-ministr-ta-gensek-nato-obgovorili-podalshi-kroki-na-shlyahu-yevroatlantichnoyi-integraciyi-ukrayini |title=Кабінет Міністрів України – Прем'єр-міністр та Генсек НАТО обговорили подальші кроки на шляху євроатлантичної інтеграції України |trans-title=Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General discuss further steps towards Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515165940/https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/premyer-ministr-ta-gensek-nato-obgovorili-podalshi-kroki-na-shlyahu-yevroatlantichnoyi-integraciyi-ukrayini |url-status=live }}

File:Робочий візит Президента України до Турецької Республіки 05.jpg exchange signed documents on 16 October 2020.]]

{{further|Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

On 7 April 2021, after the start of the build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis held a press conference with his Spanish counterpart Arancha González Laya and said that Lithuania intended to ask its NATO allies to provide Ukraine with a Membership Action Plan (MAP):

{{Cquote|In the near future, we should again turn to our colleagues with a letter to consider the possibility of granting MAP to Ukraine. I am convinced, and we have already begun to discuss this issue with our colleagues from the Baltic states, NATO could repeat its proposal to provide Ukraine with a membership plan. This step will become a "strong signal for Russia", in particular, that Ukraine has chosen the transatlantic direction for itself, is appreciated and has support in the NATO countries.

}}

For her part, the Spanish foreign minister, despite the fact that Ukraine was not a member of the Alliance, said that the Allies' relations with it was already "fruitful, useful and are a symbol of NATO's vision of a peaceful neighborhood." She also added that the issue of Ukraine should be discussed at the summit of the North Atlantic Alliance, which was scheduled for June that year.{{Cite web |url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/ukr/abroad/litva-poprosit-u-nato-nadati-ukraini-pdch-glava-mzs.htm |title=Литва попросить у НАТО надати Україні ПДЧ, – глава МЗС |trans-title=Lithuania will offer NATO to provide MAP to Ukraine – Gabrielius Landsbergis |date=7 April 2021 |website=OBOZREVATEL NEWS |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203102042/https://news.obozrevatel.com/ukr/abroad/litva-poprosit-u-nato-nadati-ukraini-pdch-glava-mzs.htm |url-status=live }} Following in the footsteps of his Lithuanian counterpart, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs said on 7 April that NATO should provide Ukraine with a MAP:{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

{{Cquote|We are watching closely as Russia draws troops to Ukraine's borders. It is not clear at this time what this is: a show of force or real aggression. But there is every reason to worry ... Ukraine has been trying to join NATO for 15 years by obtaining an Membership Action Plan. Apparently, it is time to provide this Plan to Ukraine. This will be at least a signal from us [NATO] that Ukrainians will not be left without support. I will definitely support this decision...

}}

At the same April meeting, Stoltenberg said that "NATO firmly supports sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine."{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

On 10 April 2021, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Taran stated that the top priority of the Ukrainian political leadership was to obtain a MAP in the North Atlantic Alliance in 2021. According to the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the most convincing and effective mechanism for communicating the position of the international community to Moscow is "accelerating the implementation of the decision of the 2008 NATO Bucharest Summit on our membership in the Alliance."{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2021/04/10/zayava-ministra-oboroni-ukraini-andriya-tarana/|title=Заява Міністра оборони України Андрія Тарана|website=Міністерство оборони України|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=12 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212130527/https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2021/04/10/zayava-ministra-oboroni-ukraini-andriya-tarana/|url-status=live}} Receiving the MAP for Ukraine was also supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a joint declaration of the Ninth High-Level Strategic Council between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey.{{Cite web |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/news/spilna-deklaraciya-devyatogo-zasidannya-strategichnoyi-radi-67909 |title=Спільна декларація Дев'ятого засідання Стратегічної ради високого рівня між Україною та Турецькою Республікою |trans-title=Joint Declaration of the Ninth Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey |website=Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224070619/https://www.president.gov.ua/news/spilna-deklaraciya-devyatogo-zasidannya-strategichnoyi-radi-67909 |url-status=live }}

Following a meeting with Zelenskyy in May 2021, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said at a briefing in Kyiv that granting Ukraine a MAP would be the next logical step toward NATO membership. He stressed that Ukraine had already made several reforms necessary to become a member of NATO, and is prepared to carry out additional reforms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2021/06/2/7123946/|title=Надання Україні ПДЧ буде наступним логічним кроком щодо членства в НАТО – сенатор США|website=eurointegration.com.ua|access-date=3 June 2021|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603112044/https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2021/06/2/7123946/|url-status=live}} He also stated that if Ukraine and Georgia had received the MAP in 2008, there would have been no conflict with Russia at all:{{Cite news |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-ukraina-gruzia-nato/31288387.html |title=Сенатор США: якби Україна і Грузія отримали ПДЧ у 2008 році, не думаю, що конфлікт із Росією узагалі був |trans-title=US Senator: If Ukraine and Georgia received MAP in 2008, I don't think the conflict with Russia was at all |date=3 June 2021 |website=Радіо Свобода |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217131546/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-ukraina-gruzia-nato/31288387.html |url-status=live |last1=Свобода |first1=Радіо }}

{{Cquote|I understand NATO's concern about the prospect of integrating with a country in conflict. But, frankly, if Ukraine and Georgia had received the MAP in 2008, I don't think there would have been a conflict at all.

}}

On 2 June 2021, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy pointed out a potential threat that could strengthen Russia's position in Europe: the failure to give Ukraine a clear signal and specific deadlines for obtaining a MAP for NATO membership.{{Cite web |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/volodimir-zelenskij-pid-chas-zustrichi-z-senatorami-ssha-piv-68781 |title=Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with US Senators: Nord Stream 2 is a powerful weapon being given to Russia |date=2 June 2021 |website=Official Website of the President of Ukraine |access-date=10 April 2022 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410044049/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/volodimir-zelenskij-pid-chas-zustrichi-z-senatorami-ssha-piv-68781 |url-status=live }}

At the June 2021 Brussels summit, NATO leaders reiterated the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine would become a member of the Alliance with the NATO MAP as an integral part of the process and that Ukraine had the right to determine its own future and foreign policy course without outside interference. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also stressed that Russia would not be able to veto Ukraine's accession to NATO:{{Cite news |title=European Truth |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2021/06/14/7124429/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202103147/https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2021/06/14/7124429/ |archive-date=2 February 2022 |access-date=14 June 2021 |work=NATO Secretary General: It is not up to Russia to decide whether Ukraine will be a member of the Alliance}}

{{Cquote|Each country chooses its own path, and this also applies to joining NATO. It is up to Ukraine and the 30 NATO members to decide whether it aspires to be a member of the Alliance. Russia has no say in whether Ukraine should be a member of the Alliance. They cannot veto the decisions of their neighbors. We will not return to the era of spheres of interest, when large countries decide what to do with smaller ones.

}}

On 28 June 2021, Ukraine and NATO forces launched joint naval drills in the Black Sea, codenamed Sea Breeze 2021. Russia had condemned the drills, with the Russian Defense Ministry saying it would closely monitor them.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/black-sea-ukraine-europe-government-and-politics-ea5d4e704ecce23a4d7aa7196f04ba9f |title=Ukraine, NATO launch joint Black Sea drills |website=AP News |date=28 June 2021 |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207032728/https://apnews.com/article/black-sea-ukraine-europe-government-and-politics-ea5d4e704ecce23a4d7aa7196f04ba9f |url-status=live }}

File:Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Jens Stoltenberg.jpg

File:210831-D-BM568-1056 (51416775770).jpg on 31 August 2021]]

On 28 November 2021, Ukraine warned that Russia had massed nearly 92,000 troops near its borders, and speculated that Putin intended an offensive at the end of January or early February. Russia accused Ukraine of a military build-up of its own and demanded "legal guarantees" that it would never join NATO.

On 30 November 2021, Putin stated that an expansion of NATO's presence in Ukraine, especially the deployment of any long-range missiles capable of striking Moscow or missile defense systems similar to those in Romania and Poland, would be a "red line" issue for the Kremlin. Putin argued that these missile defense systems could be converted into launchers of offensive Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles.{{cite news |title=Russia will act if Nato countries cross Ukraine 'red lines', Putin says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/russia-will-act-if-nato-countries-cross-ukraine-red-lines-putin-says |work=The Guardian |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217112550/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/russia-will-act-if-nato-countries-cross-ukraine-red-lines-putin-says |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=NATO Pushes Back Against Russian President Putin's 'Red Lines' Over Ukraine |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43334/nato-pushes-back-against-russian-president-putins-red-lines-over-ukraine |work=The Drive |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214164345/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43334/nato-pushes-back-against-russian-president-putins-red-lines-over-ukraine |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Putin warns Russia will act if NATO crosses its red lines in Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/stocks/putin-warns-russia-will-act-if-nato-crosses-its-red-lines-ukraine-2021-11-30/ |work=Reuters |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119022224/https://www.reuters.com/markets/stocks/putin-warns-russia-will-act-if-nato-crosses-its-red-lines-ukraine-2021-11-30/ |url-status=live }} He said that "In a dialogue with the United States and its allies, we will insist on working out specific agreements that would exclude any further NATO moves eastward and the deployment of weapons systems that threaten us in close vicinity to Russian territory."{{cite news |title=Putin Demands NATO Guarantees Not to Expand Eastward |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-12-01/russia-says-its-worried-about-ukrainian-military-buildup |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212174653/https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-12-01/russia-says-its-worried-about-ukrainian-military-buildup |url-status=live }} Stoltenberg replied that "It's only Ukraine and 30 NATO allies that decide when Ukraine is ready to join NATO. Russia has no veto, Russia has no say, and Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence to try to control their neighbors."{{cite news |title=NATO chief: "Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence" |url=https://www.axios.com/nato-russia-ukraine-invasion-18619fd7-be80-4d37-86f8-fcebcb1fbe8a.html |work=Axios |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214172403/https://www.axios.com/nato-russia-ukraine-invasion-18619fd7-be80-4d37-86f8-fcebcb1fbe8a.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine? And other questions |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589 |work=BBC News |date=10 December 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219125518/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589 |url-status=live }}

On 17 December 2021, the Russian government demanded that NATO end all activity in its Eastern European member states and ban Ukraine or any former Soviet state from ever joining NATO, among other demands.{{cite news |title=Russia demands NATO roll back from East Europe and stay out of Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-unveils-security-guarantees-says-western-response-not-encouraging-2021-12-17/ |work=Reuters |date=17 December 2021}} Some of the demands had already been ruled-out by NATO. A senior US official said the US was willing to discuss the proposals, but added that there were some demands "that the Russians know are unacceptable". EU High Representative Josep Borrell said these demands went against the founding principle of European security, notably the Helsinki Accords of 1975, signed by European countries and the Soviet Union.{{Cite web |url=https://eeas.europa.eu/regions/asia/109462/eu-support-ukraine-and-security-architecture-europe_en |title=EU support to Ukraine and the security architecture in Europe – European External Action Service (europa.eu) |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110215412/https://eeas.europa.eu/regions/asia/109462/eu-support-ukraine-and-security-architecture-europe_en |url-status=live }}

On 11 January 2022, it became known that a group of Republican congressmen intended to introduce a bill declaring Ukraine a NATO-plus country and initiating a review of the advisability of declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. The authors of the bill argued that recognizing Ukraine as a "NATO+ country" will make it possible to quickly make decisions on the provision and sale of American defense goods and services to Ukraine. In particular, according to Mike Rogers, co-author of the bill, this rule concernd the provision of anti-ship and air defense systems. In addition, this bill proposed to create a mechanism for the rapid imposition of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in the event of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The authors of the bill were convinced that in this way they will forever block the commissioning of the pipeline. Also, if adopted, the United States would be obliged to consider and vote on whether to grant Russia the status of a "country-sponsor of international terrorism."{{Cite web |url=https://www.golosameriki.com/a/us-ukraine/6391678.html |title=Конгрессмены предложили объявить Украину страной "НАТО-плюс" (golosameriki.com) |date=11 January 2022 |access-date=16 January 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214171750/https://www.golosameriki.com/a/us-ukraine/6391678.html |url-status=live }}

On 14 January 2022, Andrii Yermak, Chairman of the Office of the President of Ukraine, praised the preparation of sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion, but warned that such an invasion "would be a great tragedy". He also said that the Ukrainian authorities hoped to hear specific conditions for joining the North Atlantic Alliance:

{{Blockquote|text=Ukraine has shown to its principles and positions that we are fully prepared and able to be a member of NATO. This means that at the Madrid summit this year we hope to see and hear very specific conditions and information about this, because today, especially today, I would like to repeat that now this is a matter of life and death for our country.}}

On 17 January 2022, Russian troops joined their Belarusian counterparts for an exercise aimed at "thwarting external aggression". The exercise began on 10 February. On 25 January 2022, NATO "firmly ruled out Moscow's core demand against further NATO expansion". Russia sought an end to NATO's "long-standing open-door policy for new member countries" and that NATO remove troops and equipment from Eastern Europe. Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said that "before there is any understanding of how we will continue, we need to get the text."{{cite news |title=Russia moves troops and U.S. sends weapons as fear of war mounts in Ukraine |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=25 January 2022}} On 27 January 2022, NATO submitted a proposal to Russia for the security of the latter, "that dismissed Moscow's central demands".{{cite news |title=Russia signals little optimism on resolving crisis as the West races to shore up support for Ukraine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/27/ukraine-russia-us-nato-putin/?itid=lk_inline_manual_52 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=27 January 2022}} On 28 January 2022, Putin said the West has ignored "Russia's fundamental concerns" on NATO's expansion and said that NATO had "strike weapons systems near Russia's borders".{{cite news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Soldiers, Separatists, Sanctions: A Timeline Of The Russia-Ukraine Crisis |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/soldiers-separatists-sanctions-a-timeline-of-the-russia-ukraine-crisis-2782377 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225020037/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/soldiers-separatists-sanctions-a-timeline-of-the-russia-ukraine-crisis-2782377 |url-status=live |publisher=NDTV CONVERGENCE LIMITED |agency=Agence France-Presse}}

On 31 January 2022, after a tense meeting of the UN Security Council, The Washington Post reported that "Russia has demanded a Western commitment to exclude Ukraine from its security umbrella and the removal of NATO forces and equipment from Eastern Europe and the Baltic States" and, according to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, "has threatened to take military action should its demands not be met." Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya denied any plans for invasion and said Russia was within its rights to station troops anywhere within its own territory. He stated, "Not a single Russian politician, not a single public figure, not a single person said that we are planning to attack Ukraine." On the same day Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "The main question is our clear message that we consider further NATO expansion to the East and weapons deployment, which can threaten the Russian Federation, unacceptable." Stoltenberg said "Russia has used military exercises before as a disguise, as a cover... military buildup, exercises, threatening rhetoric and a track record... all of that together, of course, make this a serious threat."{{cite news |title=U.S., Russia clash sharply over Ukraine at U.N. meeting |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/31/ukraine-russia-putin-nato/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324093809/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/31/ukraine-russia-putin-nato/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Situation along Russian Federation-Ukraine Border Can Only Be Resolved through Diplomacy, Political Affairs Chief Tells Security Council |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sc14783.doc.htm |agency=Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |issue=SC/14783 |publisher=UN SECURITY COUNCIL |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=12 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212101049/https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sc14783.doc.htm |url-status=live }}

On 16 February 2022, NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg instructed commanders to work out the details of a battlegroup deployment to the alliance's southeastern flank because there were no signs of a Russian de-escalation yet.{{cite news |last1=Child |first1=David |last2=Alsaafin |first2=Linah |title=Latest Ukraine Updates: NATO says no sign of Russia de-escalation |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/16/unity-day-ukraine-us-says-russia-may-yet-invade-liveblog |access-date=16 February 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224011651/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/16/unity-day-ukraine-us-says-russia-may-yet-invade-liveblog |url-status=live }} On 19 February 2022, at the Munich Security Conference, Stoltenberg remarked that despite NATO's "strong diplomatic efforts to find a political solution [to the Russo-Ukrainian war]... we have seen no sign of withdrawal or de-escalation so far. On the contrary, Russia's build-up continues." He said "we have made written proposals to the Putin administration to reduce risks and increase transparency of military activities, address space and cyber threats, and engage on arms control, including on nuclear weapons and missiles... [Putin] is attempting to roll back history. And recreate [the] spheres of influence. [He] wants to limit NATO’s right to collective defence... and demands that we should remove all our forces and infrastructure from the countries that joined NATO after the fall of the Berlin Wall... wants to deny sovereign countries the right to choose their own path. And their own security arrangements. For Ukraine – but also for other countries, such as Finland and Sweden. And for the first time, we now see Beijing joining Moscow in calling on NATO to stop admitting new members. It is an attempt to control the fate of free nations. To rewrite the international rulebook. And impose their own authoritarian models of governance."{{cite news |last1=Stoltenberg |first1=Jens |title=Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Munich Security Conference session Hand in hand: Transatlantic and European Security |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_192204.htm |publisher=NATO |date=19 February 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316103215/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_192204.htm |url-status=live }} On the dais with him was Ursula von der Leyen. On 20 February 2022, France and Germany called on their nationals to leave Ukraine.

File:Our Key Goal is Ukraine’s Full Membership in the Alliance – President at the Meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (54039802986).jpg with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, 3 October 2024]]

On 21 February 2022, Zelenskyy accused Putin of "wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions." The same day, Stoltenberg advised Russia "to choose the path of diplomacy, and to immediately reverse its massive military build-up in and around Ukraine."{{cite news |title=Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the recognition by Russia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_192292.htm |publisher= NATO |date=21 February 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222000650/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_192292.htm |url-status=live }}

Amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine in early 2022, the Federation Council of Russia recognized the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics on 22 February 2022,{{cite web|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew|last2=Borger|first2=Julian|date=21 February 2022|title=Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine on 'peacekeeping duties'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/21/ukraine-putin-decide-recognition-breakaway-states-today|access-date=22 February 2022|website=The Guardian|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223175613/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/21/ukraine-putin-decide-recognition-breakaway-states-today|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Russia to recognize LPR, DPR within currently established borders |url=https://tass.com/russia/1407803 |agency=TASS |date=22 February 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401084346/https://tass.com/russia/1407803 |url-status=live }} after the State Duma called on Putin to recognize the breakaway territories on 16 February,{{cite news |title=Russian Lawmakers Approve Resolution To Recognize Separatist Regions In Ukraine |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-luhansk-donetsk-duma-recognition/31704804.html |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=22 February 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326014748/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-luhansk-donetsk-duma-recognition/31704804.html |url-status=live }} with deputies passing the motion 351 to 16.{{cite web |title=Russian lawmakers just gave Putin another way to escalate tensions with Ukraine—just as some of Russia's troops reportedly pull back |url=https://fortune.com/2022/02/15/russia-duma-putin-ukraine-donetsk-luhansk-donbas-recognition-georgia-south-ossetia/ |website=Fortune |language=en |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223230319/https://fortune.com/2022/02/15/russia-duma-putin-ukraine-donetsk-luhansk-donbas-recognition-georgia-south-ossetia/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Russia's Federation Council votes for recognition of pseudo-republics "DPR", "LPR" |url=https://www.ukr-inform.net/rubric-polytics/3409477-russias-federation-council-votes-for-recognition-of-pseudorepublics-dpr-lpr.html |agency=Ukrinform |date=22 February 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} President Putin declared that the Minsk Agreements "no longer existed", and that Ukraine, not Russia, was to blame for their collapse.{{Cite news |date=23 February 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict: Biden sanctions Russia over 'beginning of invasion' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60488037 |access-date=23 February 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318134327/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60488037 |url-status=live }} Stoltenberg condemned Putin's declaration.

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Alisha Rahaman |last2=Marcus |first2=Josh |last3=Giordano |first3=Chiara |title=Dozens dead and airports bombarded after Putin invades Ukraine – live |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-putin-war-invasion-today-b2022101.html |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=The Independent |date=24 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225015614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-putin-war-invasion-today-b2022101.html |url-status=live }}

Reuters later reported that the deputy Kremlin Chief of Staff, Dmitry Kozak, had brokered a deal with Ukraine in February 2022 that would have kept Ukraine out of NATO, and that the deal had been rejected by Putin, because he wanted to occupy and annex Ukraine. It was also unclear if the deal had Ukrainian government support. The Russian government denied the report.{{cite web | title=Exclusive: As war began, Putin rejected a Ukraine peace deal recommended by aide | website=Reuters | date=14 September 2022 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-war-began-putin-rejected-ukraine-peace-deal-recommended-by-his-aide-2022-09-14/ | access-date=15 September 2022 | archive-date=24 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924071954/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-war-began-putin-rejected-ukraine-peace-deal-recommended-by-his-aide-2022-09-14/ | url-status=live }}

On 1 March 2022, Stoltenberg convinced the President of Poland to forgo sending any fighter aircraft to Ukraine because of the risk of attracting Russian attacks onto its territory, which would likely cause NATO to invoke Article 5 of its constitution.{{cite news |title=Poland will not send fighter jets to Ukraine, says president |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/poland-will-not-send-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-says-president/ |publisher=EURACTIV MEDIA NETWORK BV |date=1 March 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309022549/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/poland-will-not-send-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-says-president/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=European plan to donate fighter jets to Ukraine collapses |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/28/ukrainian-pilots-arrive-in-poland-to-pick-up-donated-fighter-jets-00012560 |publisher=POLITICO LLC |date=1 March 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302202152/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/28/ukrainian-pilots-arrive-in-poland-to-pick-up-donated-fighter-jets-00012560 |url-status=live }} On 4 March 2022, following an emergency meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels, Stoltenberg rejected Zelenskyy's request to impose a no-fly zone over the country, stating that it might lead to a full-fledged war between the Alliance and Russia, and declining to involve NATO. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Alliance was going to give Ukraine the means to defend itself against Russia and that Russian aggression would result in Russia's isolation and economic suffering. The EU's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, maintained, "It's Putin’s war, and only Putin can end it." However, Zelenskyy, unhappy at what he saw as NATO's lackluster response, replied:{{cite news |title=NATO rejects no-fly zone; Ukraine slams 'greenlight for bombs' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/5/nato-rejects-no-fly-zone-ukraine-decries-greenlight-for-bombs |access-date=5 March 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305095359/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/5/nato-rejects-no-fly-zone-ukraine-decries-greenlight-for-bombs |url-status=live }}

{{cquote|"Today there was a NATO summit, a weak summit, a confused summit, a summit where it was clear that not everyone considers the battle for Europe's freedom to be the number one goal... Today, the leadership of the alliance gave the green light for further bombing of Ukrainian cities and villages, having refused to set up a no-fly zone.}}

On 6 March 2022, Blinken raised the possibility of a three-way exchange between Poland, Ukraine, and the US that would see Ukraine pilots fly Polish Mig-29s from a US airfield; in exchange for the Soviet-era jets Poland would receive used F-16s from the USAF.{{cite news |title=US considers sending F-16s to Poland if Warsaw gives its MIG-29 to Ukraine |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-considers-sending-f-16s-to-poland-if-warsaw-gives-its-mig-29-to-ukraine/ |publisher=EURACTIV MEDIA NETWORK BV |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321022253/https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-considers-sending-f-16s-to-poland-if-warsaw-gives-its-mig-29-to-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} On 8 March 2022, Poland offered to donate 28 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, to be based at Ramstein airbase under US control in Germany.{{cite news |title=US dismisses Polish plan to provide fighter jets to be sent to Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/poland-mig-29-jets-us-ukraine |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309223943/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/poland-mig-29-jets-us-ukraine |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Why Washington shut down Poland's offer to give Ukraine fighter jets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/09/ukraine-poland-mig-29-fighter-jets/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316081428/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/09/ukraine-poland-mig-29-fighter-jets/ |url-status=live }} US Department of Defense press secretary John Kirby rejected the surprise proposal as untenable. The next day, he said the US would oppose any such plan for NATO nation, and termed the idea "high-risk", because it brought into question NATO's non-combatant status.{{cite news |title=Poland's Fraught Offer: Fighter Jets for Ukraine, but Only Through U.S. Hands |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/us/politics/poland-fighter-jets-ukraine-russia.html |date=9 March 2022 |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327002147/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/us/politics/poland-fighter-jets-ukraine-russia.html |url-status=live }} On 9 March, the Polish prime minister said that any decision about delivering offensive weapons must be made unanimously by NATO members.{{cite news |title=Polish offer to donate MiG-29 jets to Ukraine takes US officials by surprise |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220309-polish-offer-to-donate-mig-29-jets-to-ukraine-took-us-officials-by-surprise |publisher=france24.com |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317041429/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220309-polish-offer-to-donate-mig-29-jets-to-ukraine-took-us-officials-by-surprise |url-status=live }} Also on 9 March, Zelenskyy's plea for a no-fly zone was reiterated by Azov battalion Major Denis Prokopenko, who was tasked with the defense of Mariupol, as otherwise supplies of water, food, medicine to Mariupol would be threatened and evacuations of people would be less safe.{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Valerie |title=After a Week of Siege, Bloodied Mariupol Plans Mass Graves |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/world/europe/ukraine-mariupol-siege.html |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327010036/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/world/europe/ukraine-mariupol-siege.html |url-status=live }}

At a press conference on 11 March 2022, Stoltenberg was quoted: "President Putin's war on Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe. It has shaken the international order. And it continues to take a devastating toll on the Ukrainian people. But Putin seriously underestimated Ukraine. And he seriously underestimated the strength and unity of NATO, and of our friends and partners around the world." At the same press conference, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said that "Putin made a fundamental miscalculation. He thought Ukraine was weak, and he thought NATO was divided. He has been shown how wrong he is."{{cite news |title=Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the Minister of Defence of Canada, Anita Anand and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_192964.htm |publisher=NATO |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322164616/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_192964.htm |url-status=live }}

On 15 March 2022, Zelenskyy stated that he did not anticipate Ukraine joining NATO in the near future, due to a lack of consensus from member states. He said "For years we have been hearing about how the door is supposedly open (to NATO membership) but now we hear that we cannot enter. And it is true, and it must be acknowledged."{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/europe/ukraine-nato-zelensky-shift/index.html |title=Zelensky signals he doesn't expect Ukraine to join NATO anytime soon |author1=Andrew Carey |author2=Oleksandra Ochman |author3=Kylie Atwood |author4=Paul LeBlanc |publisher=CNN |date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318091042/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/europe/ukraine-nato-zelensky-shift/index.html |archive-date=18 March 2022 |access-date=19 March 2022 |url-status=live}} On 24 March 2022, the 30 NATO heads of state held a meeting in Brussels and issued a statement, which read in part:{{cite news |title=Statement by NATO Heads of State and Government |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_193719.htm?selectedLocale=en |publisher=NATO |date=24 March 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605004158/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_193719.htm?selectedLocale=en |url-status=live }}

{{cquote|Massive sanctions and heavy political costs have been imposed on Russia to bring an end to this war. We remain determined to maintain coordinated international pressure on Russia... We remain committed to the foundational principles underpinning European and global security, including that each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements free from outside interference. We reaffirm our commitment to NATO's Open Door Policy under Article 10 of the Washington Treaty... We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and defend the security of our Allied populations and every inch of Allied territory... We are also establishing four additional multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia... President Putin's choice to attack Ukraine is a strategic mistake, with grave consequences also for Russia and the Russian people.

}}

On 25 March 2022, Stoltenberg was interviewed by Euronews. He spoke of the Alliance doing "as much as they can" to support Ukraine, chiefly "with advanced anti-tank weapons, air defence systems" and with "financial support, humanitarian support, but also military support."{{cite news |last1=Mc Mahon |first1=Méabh |title=NATO support "crucial" to Ukrainian resistance, Stoltenberg tells Euronews |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/25/nato-support-crucial-to-ukrainian-resistance-stoltenberg-tells-euronews |publisher=Euronews |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326222544/https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/25/nato-support-crucial-to-ukrainian-resistance-stoltenberg-tells-euronews |url-status=live }} On 4 April 2022, former Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her statement at the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest that would block Ukraine from joining NATO.{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Merkel defends 2008 decision to block Ukraine from NATO |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220404-merkel-defends-2008-decision-to-block-ukraine-from-nato |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709201946/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220404-merkel-defends-2008-decision-to-block-ukraine-from-nato |url-status=live }} This has been due to Ukraine's political decisions not being met at that time. On 30 September 2022, Ukraine formally submitted an application to become a NATO member.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin illegally proclaims annexation of 4 occupied regions; Ukraine applies to join NATO |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-annex-ukraines-donetsk-luhansk-kherson-zaporizhzhia-rcna50133 |access-date=30 September 2022 |website=NBC news |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006225210/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-annex-ukraines-donetsk-luhansk-kherson-zaporizhzhia-rcna50133 |url-status=live }} On 2 October 2022, the presidents of nine NATO states{{efn|Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia}} in a joint statement expressed support for Ukraine at some point joining NATO, in line with the conclusion of the 2008 Bucharest Summit, while not commenting explicitly on Ukraine's application.{{Cite web |date=2 October 2022 |title=Nine Central, East Europe NATO countries condemn Russia annexations |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/nine-nato-countries-condemn-russia-annexations-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2 October 2022 |website=POLITICO |language=en-US |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008123506/https://www.politico.eu/article/nine-nato-countries-condemn-russia-annexations-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Usyk |first=Julia |date=2 October 2022 |title=9 European Heads Support NATO Membership for Ukraine – Kyiv Post – Ukraine's Global Voice |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/european-heads-condemn-russian-annexations-in-ukraine.html |access-date=2 October 2022 |website=Kyiv Post |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002140441/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/european-heads-condemn-russian-annexations-in-ukraine.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2 October 2022 |title=Joint statement of Presidents of Central and Eastern Europe |url=https://www.president.pl/news/joint-statement-of-presidents-of-central-and-eastern-europe,59400 |access-date=2 October 2022 |website=Oficjalna strona Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej |language=en |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008123506/https://www.president.pl/news/joint-statement-of-presidents-of-central-and-eastern-europe,59400 |url-status=live }}

On 8 July 2023, US President Joe Biden said that Ukraine was not yet ready to join NATO, emphasizing, "I don't think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war."{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |title=Biden: Ukraine is not ready for NATO membership now |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/biden-ukraine-not-ready-nato-013631929.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}} Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky believed that the lack of a timeframe posed a setback for Ukraine. In July 2023, he said, "NATO will give Ukraine security. Ukraine will make the alliance stronger."{{Cite web |date=2023-07-11 |title=Nato summit: Allies refuse to give Ukraine timeframe on joining|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66167616 |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=BBC |language=en-US}} On the same day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that his country would fully support Ukraine's NATO membership.{{cite web |url =https://www.dw.com/tr/erdo%C4%9Fandan-ukraynan%C4%B1n-nato-%C3%BCyeli%C4%9Fine-destek/a-66163986 |title =Erdoğan'dan Ukrayna'nın NATO üyeliğine destek |language=tr|date = July 8, 2023 |work =DW Türkçe }} At NATO's 2023 Vilnius summit, it was decided that Ukraine would no longer be required to participate in a Membership Action Plan before joining the alliance.{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_217320.htm|title=Vilnius Summit Communiqué|date=2023-07-11|accessdate=2023-10-21|publisher=NATO}} On 10 July 2024, Stoltenberg announced establishing a NATO command, headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, to ensure training and delivery of security assistance to Ukraine, consisting of 700 personnel.{{cite web |title=2024 NATO Public Forum | Day 1, 10 July 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/FTPSdOnAxvs?si=uzpMMheHfgEoXBZz&t=6582 |website=YouTube}}{{cite web |title=Stoltenberg: Ukraine Can Count on NATO For Long Haul |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3836313/stoltenberg-ukraine-can-count-on-nato-for-long-haul/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=14 July 2024}}

In March 2025, following the new Trump administration's announcement that it does not support NATO membership for Ukraine,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/nato-ukraine-sweden.html |title=Why Isn't Ukraine in NATO and What Has Trump Said? |last1=Mpoke-Bigg |first1=Matthew |last2=Chutel |first2=Lynsey |last3=Troianovski |first3=Anton |newspaper=New York Times |url-access=subscription |date=14 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025}} NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine had never been promised NATO membership as part of a peace agreement.{{cite news |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/ukraines-nato-membership-never-guaranteed-in-peace-deal-rutte-clarifies/ |title=Ukraine's NATO membership never guaranteed in peace deal, Rutte clarifies |last=Pugnet |first=Aurélie |website=EURACTIV |date=14 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1055716.html |title=Rutte: Issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO removed from negotiating table |website=Interfax-Ukraine |date=14 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025}} and that Europe and the US should eventually normalise relations with Russia after a peace agreement,{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-secretary-general-mark-rutte-russia-relations-war-in-ukraine-donald-trump/ |title=NATO chief opens door to restoring Russia relations after Ukraine war |last=Körömi |first=Csongor |website=POLITICO |date=13 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025}}

{{Popular support to NATO integration of Ukraine in Ukraine}}

Western Ukraine has long been significantly more pro-NATO than the rest of the country.[https://books.google.com/books?id=pbocXztNVsUC&pg=PA24 Endgame in NATO's Enlargement: The Baltic States and Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112145427/https://books.google.com/books?id=pbocXztNVsUC&pg=PA24 |date=12 January 2023 }}, Yaroslav Bilinsky, 1999, Greenwood Press, {{ISBN |0-275-96363-2}}/{{ISBN|978-0-275-96363-7}}, page 25[http://ratinggroup.com.ua/en/products/politic/data/entry/14004/ The language question, the results of recent research in 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709203803/http://ratinggroup.com.ua/en/products/politic/data/entry/14004/ |date=9 July 2015 }}, RATING (25 May 2012)[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/204811.html Ukrainians supporting NATO membership in minority – poll] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127185943/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/204811.html |date=27 January 2022 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (14 May 2014) Eastern Ukraine has traditionally been more anti-NATO and pro-Russia than the rest of Ukraine.

According to numerous independent polls conducted between 2002 and the events of 2014, Ukrainian public opinion on NATO membership was split, with the majority of those polled being against joining the military alliance and many identifying it as a threat.[http://razumkov.org.ua/eng/poll.php?poll_id=46 Razumkov Centre poll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502193915/http://www.razumkov.org.ua/eng/poll.php?poll_id=46 |date=2 May 2014 }} Retrieved on 26 August 2009 A Gallup poll conducted in October 2008 showed that 43% of Ukrainians associated NATO as a threat to their country, while only 15% associated it with protection.[http://www.gallup.com/poll/110848/Ukrainians-May-Oppose-Presidents-ProWestern-Goals.aspx Ukrainians May Oppose President's Pro-Western Goals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124092127/http://www.gallup.com/poll/110848/Ukrainians-May-Oppose-Presidents-ProWestern-Goals.aspx |date=24 January 2016 }} Gallup Retrieved on 26 August 2009 A 2009 Gallup poll showed that 40% of Ukrainian adults associate NATO with "Threat" and 17% with "Protection."[http://www.gallup.com/poll/127094/ukrainians-likely-support-move-away-nato.aspx Ukrainians Likely Support Move Away From NATO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807120305/http://www.gallup.com/poll/127094/ukrainians-likely-support-move-away-nato.aspx |date=7 August 2016 }}, Gallup (2 April 2010) According to a poll by the Razumkov Center in March 2011, 20.6% on average across Ukraine considered NATO a threat; this number was 51% in Crimea.[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/102113/ Poll: Most Crimean residents consider Ukraine their motherland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611192637/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/102113/ |date=11 June 2012 }}, Kyiv Post (11 April 2011) A 2013 Gallup poll showed that 29% associated NATO with "Threat" and 17% with "Protection"; 44% viewed it as neither.[http://www.gallup.com/poll/167927/crisis-ukrainians-likely-nato-threat.aspx Before Crisis, Ukrainians More Likely to See NATO as a Threat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218151336/http://www.gallup.com/poll/167927/crisis-ukrainians-likely-nato-threat.aspx |date=18 February 2017 }}, Gallup (14 March 2014)

Following the Russian military intervention of 2014, the annexation of Crimea, and the start of the Donbas War, many Ukrainians changed their views of NATO: polls from the middle of 2014 until 2016 showed that the majority of Ukrainians supported NATO membership.{{Cite web|url=http://sowiport.gesis.org/search/id/gesis-ssoar-48564|title=Umland, Andreas – Why Ukraine's Hope for NATO Membership Is Understandable, But Will Remain Unfulfilled {{!}} IndraStra Global – Sowiport|last=Sozialwissenschaften|first=GESIS Leibniz Institut für|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042056/http://sowiport.gesis.org/search/id/gesis-ssoar-48564|url-status=live}}

An electronic petition to the president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, was filed on 29 August 2015,{{cite web|url=https://president.gov.ua/petition/52|title=Electronic petitions to the president of Ukraine. "Joining NATO referendum" (replied). Petition text (A.S.Baturyn).|date=29 August 2015}}{{dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} requesting that a referendum on joining NATO be conducted. The petition received the required 25,000 signatures to be considered. The president's reply stated that, "One of the main priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy is to deepen cooperation with NATO to achieve the criteria required for membership in this organization. Today, we carry out security sector reform in Ukraine to reach NATO standards and to strengthen the country's defense system, which is necessary to counter Russian aggression. Once Ukraine fulfills all the necessary criteria to join the Alliance, the final decision on this important issue will be approved by the Ukrainian people in a referendum."{{cite web|url=https://president.gov.ua/petition/52|title=Electronic petitions to the president of Ukraine. 'Joining NATO referendum' (replied). President's reply|date=29 August 2015}}{{dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In February 2017, President Poroshenko announced that a referendum would have been held during his presidency, with polls showing that 54% of Ukrainians favored such a move.{{cite web|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-nato-idUSKBN15H05K|title= Ukraine's Poroshenko plans referendum on NATO membership: German media|work= Reuters|date= 1 February 2017|access-date= 2 July 2017|archive-date= 17 January 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220117232917/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-nato-idUSKBN15H05K|url-status= live}}
{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/02/ukraines-petro-poroshenko-will-hold-referendum-nato-membership/|title= Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko 'will hold referendum' on Nato membership|work= The Daily Telegraph|date= 2 February 2017|access-date= 5 April 2018|archive-date= 11 January 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220111094554/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/02/ukraines-petro-poroshenko-will-hold-referendum-nato-membership/|url-status= live}}

According to a sociological survey conducted by the Ukrainian Institute for the Future, together with the sociological company New Image Marketing Group, in January 2022, 64% of Ukrainians supported Ukraine's accession to NATO, while 17% did not support it, and 13% did not have an unequivocal opinion on this issue. In the west of Ukraine, in the city of Kyiv, and in the south of Ukraine, there were the most supporters for joining NATO – 73%, 71%, and 59%. This idea is supported least of all in Eastern Ukraine – 47%.{{Cite web|language=uk|url=https://uifuture.org/publications/chy-gotovi-ukrayinczi-do-velykoyi-vijny-rezultaty-socziologichnogo-doslidzhennya/|title=Чи готові українці до великої війни: результати соціологічного дослідження {{!}} Український інститут майбутнього|accessdate=25 January 2022|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125152612/https://uifuture.org/publications/chy-gotovi-ukrayinczi-do-velykoyi-vijny-rezultaty-socziologichnogo-doslidzhennya/|url-status=live}}

{{See also|NATO–Russia relations|Russian allegations of NATO aggression in Ukraine}}

[[File:NATO enlargement.svg|thumb|300x300px|{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}

{{legend|darkblue|NATO member countries as of 2024}}

{{legend|#2a7fff|Countries in the process of joining}}

{{legend|darkgreen|Countries seeking membership}}

{{col-2}}

{{legend|#d40000|Countries not seeking membership}}

{{col-end}}]]

In 1999, Russia signed the Charter for European Security, affirming the right of each state "to choose or change its security arrangements" and join alliances if they wish.

{{Cite web |date=19 November 1999 |title=Istanbul Document 1999 |url=https://www.osce.org/node/39569 |url-status=live

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601124042/https://www.osce.org/node/39569 |archive-date=1 June 2014

|access-date=21 July 2015 |publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe |page=[https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/5/39569.pdf#page=10 3] (PDF)}} In 2002, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, did not object to Ukraine's growing relations with the NATO alliance and said it was a matter for Ukraine and NATO.Person, Robert, and Michael McFaul. [https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/what-putin-fears-most/ "What Putin Fears Most"]. Journal of Democracy, vol. 33, no. 2, April 2022, pp. 18–27 In 2005, Putin said that if Ukraine wanted to join NATO, "we will respect their choice, because it is their sovereign right to decide their own defence policy, and this will not worsen relations between our countries".Vladimir V. Putin, [http://www.en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/22952 "France 3 Interview, 7 May 2005"]. President of Russia. According to Michael McFaul and Robert Person, this suggests Putin did not truly believe it to be a military threat.{{cite journal |last1=Person |first1=Robert |last2=McFaul |first2=Michael |title=What Putin Fears Most |journal=Journal of Democracy |date=April 2022 |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=18–27 |doi=10.1353/jod.2022.0015 |url=https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/what-putin-fears-most/#f8 |access-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406093802/https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/what-putin-fears-most/ |archive-date=6 April 2024 |url-status=live |issn=1045-5736}}{{cite book |last1=McFaul |first1=Michael |last2=Person |first2=Robert |editor1-last=Brands |editor1-first=Hal |title=War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World |date=2024 |publisher=JHU Press |pages=48-50 |chapter=Why Putin Invaded Ukraine}}

It was not until his 2007 Munich speech that Putin openly opposed Ukrainian membership of NATO. Russia has strongly opposed Ukraine joining NATO since the 2008 Bucharest summit{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7324035.stm |title=Bush backs Ukraine on Nato bid |work=BBC News |date=1 April 2008 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-date=16 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116200859/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7324035.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1542/ukrainie-president-blocks-nato-membership-russia-influence |title=Ukraine Says 'No' to NATO |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=29 March 2010 |access-date=17 December 2011 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016233138/http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1542/ukrainie-president-blocks-nato-membership-russia-influence |url-status=live }} and Putin warned that it would be deemed a threat to Russia.{{cite news |title=Putin warns against NATO expansion |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/04/04/Putin-warns-against-NATO-expansion/56781207343878/ |work=United Press International |date=4 April 2008}} That February, he said Russia may target missiles at Ukraine if it ever joins NATO and allows the deployment of a US missile defense shield.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7241470.stm | work=BBC News | title=Russia in Ukraine missile threat | date=12 February 2008 | access-date=26 May 2010 | archive-date=10 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310200059/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7241470.stm | url-status=live }} At the April 2008 Bucharest summit, Putin reportedly threatened to annex parts of Ukraine if it joined NATO.{{cite news |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2008/07/3/3482506/ |script-title=uk:Імперські комплекси братів росіян Або Не розсипайте перли перед свинями |title=Imperski kompleksy brativ rosiyan Abo Ne rozsypayte perly pered svynyamy |language=uk |trans-title=The Imperial complex of Russian brothers, or, Do not cast pearls before swine |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=3 July 2008 |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221212446/https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2008/07/3/3482506/ |url-status=live }}

Following the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea, and supported a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine was officially a neutral country at the time and did not seek NATO membership even after the annexation of Crimea.{{cite web |last1=Blank |first1=Stephen |title=Ukrainian neutrality would not appease Putin or prevent further Russian aggression |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukrainian-neutrality-would-not-appease-putin-or-prevent-further-russian-aggression/ |publisher=Atlantic Council |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308150443/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukrainian-neutrality-would-not-appease-putin-or-prevent-further-russian-aggression/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Lutsevych |first1=Orysia |title=How to end Russia's war on Ukraine: Safeguarding Europe's future, and the dangers of a false peace |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/06/how-end-russias-war-ukraine/fallacy-3-ukraine-should-adopt-neutrality |publisher=Chatham House |doi=10.55317/9781784135782 |date=27 June 2023 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308150445/https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/06/how-end-russias-war-ukraine/fallacy-3-ukraine-should-adopt-neutrality |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Deschytsia states new government of Ukraine has no intention to join NATO |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198372.html |work=Interfax-Ukraine |date=29 March 2014}} Later that year, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov called for a "guarantee that no-one would think about Ukraine joining NATO". This call was rejected by NATO's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who said "Each country has the right to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30107520 |title=Ukraine crisis: Russia demands guarantees from Nato |work=BBC News |date=18 November 2014 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=16 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116200859/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30107520 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://m.baltictimes.com/article/jcms/id/35802/ |title=Stoltenberg dismisses Kremlin's request for guarantees over Ukraine membership of NATO |work=The Baltic Times |date=20 November 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224310/http://m.baltictimes.com/article/jcms/id/35802/ |url-status=live }} Ukraine's parliament voted to end the country's neutral status in December 2014, in response to Russian military aggression.{{cite news |title=Ukraine drops non-aligned status in swipe at Moscow |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20141223-ukraine-parliament-votes-scrap-non-aligned-status-russia-nato |work=France 24 |date=23 December 2014 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308140645/https://www.france24.com/en/20141223-ukraine-parliament-votes-scrap-non-aligned-status-russia-nato |url-status=live }}

{{further|Prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Russian forces near Ukraine, 2021-12-03 (crop).jpg

From October 2021, there was a massive Russian military buildup near Ukraine's borders. On 30 November, Putin warned that if a NATO missile defense shield was ever deployed in Ukraine, it would be crossing a red line. He said that Aegis Ashore missile interceptors, like those based in Romania and Poland, could be secretly converted to launch Tomahawk missiles that could reach Moscow within minutes. However, there were no such plans to deploy a missile shield in Ukraine.{{cite news

|title=Russia will act if Nato countries cross Ukraine 'red lines', Putin says

|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/russia-will-act-if-nato-countries-cross-ukraine-red-lines-putin-says

|work=The Guardian

|date=30 November 2021

|access-date=17 December 2021

|archive-date=17 December 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217112550/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/russia-will-act-if-nato-countries-cross-ukraine-red-lines-putin-says

|url-status=live

}}{{cite news

|title=NATO Pushes Back Against Russian President Putin's 'Red Lines' Over Ukraine

|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43334/nato-pushes-back-against-russian-president-putins-red-lines-over-ukraine

|work=The Drive

|date=1 December 2021

|access-date=17 December 2021

|archive-date=14 December 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214164345/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43334/nato-pushes-back-against-russian-president-putins-red-lines-over-ukraine

|url-status=live

}}{{cite news

|title=Putin warns Russia will act if NATO crosses its red lines in Ukraine

|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/stocks/putin-warns-russia-will-act-if-nato-crosses-its-red-lines-ukraine-2021-11-30/

|work=Reuters

|date=30 November 2021

|access-date=17 December 2021

|archive-date=19 January 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119022224/https://www.reuters.com/markets/stocks/putin-warns-russia-will-act-if-nato-crosses-its-red-lines-ukraine-2021-11-30/

|url-status=live

}} The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, replied "it's Russia that has developed ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles that can reach Germany and nearly all NATO European territory, despite Russia being a party to the INF Treaty that prohibited these missiles". He added that "Russia's violation led to the termination of that treaty" by the first Trump administration.{{cite web |last1=Blinken |first1=Antony |title=Speech: The Stakes of Russian Aggression for Ukraine and Beyond |url=https://www.state.gov/the-stakes-of-russian-aggression-for-ukraine-and-beyond/ |publisher=US Department of State |date=20 January 2022}}

In December 2021, the Russian government demanded that NATO end all activity in its Eastern European member states and ban Ukraine or any former Soviet state from ever joining NATO, among other demands. Some of the demands had already been ruled out by NATO. A senior US official said the US was willing to discuss the proposals, but added that there were some "that the Russians know are unacceptable". Several Western political analysts suggested Russia was making unrealistic demands as a "smokescreen", knowing their demands would be rejected and thus giving Russia a pretext for military action.{{cite web |last1=Pifer |first1=Steven |title=Russia’s draft agreements with NATO and the United States: Intended for rejection? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/russias-draft-agreements-with-nato-and-the-united-states-intended-for-rejection/ |website=Brookings Institution |date=21 December 2021}} Others suggested that Putin was "aiming high to squeeze concessions" out of NATO.{{cite news |title=Ukraine crisis: Why Russia-US talks may prove crucial |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59935990 |work=BBC News |date=10 January 2022}} Stoltenberg asserted that "Russia has no say" on Ukraine's relations with NATO and that "Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence to try to control their neighbors".{{cite news

|title=NATO chief: "Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence"

|url=https://www.axios.com/nato-russia-ukraine-invasion-18619fd7-be80-4d37-86f8-fcebcb1fbe8a.html

|work=Axios

|date=1 December 2021

|access-date=17 December 2021

|archive-date=14 February 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214172403/https://www.axios.com/nato-russia-ukraine-invasion-18619fd7-be80-4d37-86f8-fcebcb1fbe8a.html

|url-status=live

}}{{cite news

|title=Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine? And other questions

|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589

|work=BBC News

|date=10 December 2021

|access-date=17 December 2021

|archive-date=19 December 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219125518/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589

|url-status=live

}} Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned, "If there is no constructive response within a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive line, then Russia will be forced to [...] eliminate unacceptable threats to our security".{{cite news |title=Russian foreign minister warns west over 'aggressive line' in Ukraine crisis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/31/russian-foreign-minister-warns-west-us-ukraine-border-crisis |work=The Guardian |date=31 December 2021}} NATO rejected Russia's key demands the following month, as they would go against its "open-door policy" and the right of countries to choose their own security. NATO offered to improve communication with Russia, and to negotiate limits on missile placements and military exercises, as long as Russia withdrew troops from Ukraine's borders.{{cite news |title=US offers no concessions in response to Russia on Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-united-states-moscow-72856781c3b92640d03c5e954488ba90 |work=Associated Press |date=26 January 2022}} Russia did not withdraw troops.

In his speech on 21 February 2022, Putin warned that NATO would use Ukraine to launch a surprise attack on Russia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/extracts-putins-speech-ukraine-2022-02-21/|title = Extracts from Putin's speech on Ukraine|work = Reuters|date = 21 February 2022 |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231202132403/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/extracts-putins-speech-ukraine-2022-02-21/ |archive-date=2 December 2023}} On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In his announcement of the invasion, Putin falsely claimed that NATO was building up its military infrastructure in Ukraine and threatening Russia, forcing Russia to invade.

An article published by the Institute for the Study of War concluded:

"Putin didn't invade Ukraine in 2022 because he feared NATO. He invaded because he believed that NATO was weak, that his efforts to regain control of Ukraine by other means had failed, and that installing a pro-Russian government in Kyiv would be safe and easy. His aim was not to defend Russia against some non-existent threat but rather to expand Russia's power, eradicate Ukraine's statehood, and destroy NATO".{{cite web |title=Weakness is Lethal: Why Putin Invaded Ukraine and How the War Must End |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-invaded-ukraine-and-how-war-must-end |website=Institute for the Study of War |date=1 October 2023}}

Peter Dickinson of the Atlantic Council suggested the real reason Putin opposed Ukraine's NATO membership was not because he believed it was a military threat, but because it would prevent him from controlling Ukraine.{{cite news |last1=Dickinson |first1=Peter |title=Russia's aggression against Ukraine leaves no room for negotiations |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/07/24/russias-aggression-against-ukraine-leaves-no-room-for-negotiations |work=Euronews |date=24 July 2023 |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805023600/https://www.euronews.com/2023/07/24/russias-aggression-against-ukraine-leaves-no-room-for-negotiations |url-status=live}} Michael McFaul and Robert Person argued that Putin cannot tolerate a fellow Slavic neighbor being a successful democracy, because it could spur democratic change in Russia and undermine his autocratic rule. They write that Ukraine's relationship with NATO "was just a symptom of what Putin believes is the underlying disease: a sovereign, democratic Ukraine".{{cite journal |last1=McFaul |first1=Michael |last2=Person |first2=Robert |title=What Putin Fears Most |journal=Journal of Democracy |date=April 2022 |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=18–27 |url=https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/what-putin-fears-most/}} Steven Pifer argued that Russia's own aggressive actions since 2014 have done the most to push Ukraine towards the West and NATO.{{cite web |last1=Pifer |first1=Steven |title=One. More. Time. It’s not about NATO |url=https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/one-more-time-it%E2%80%99s-not-about-nato |publisher=Center for International Security and Cooperation |date=26 July 2022}}

On 30 September 2022, Russia proclaimed the annexation of four Ukrainian provinces. In response, Ukraine officially applied to join NATO.{{Cite news |date=30 September 2022 |title=Ukraine announces fast-track NATO membership bid, rules out Putin talks |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-ukraine-applying-nato-membership-2022-09-30/ |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930173406/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-ukraine-applying-nato-membership-2022-09-30/ |url-status=live }}

Dmitry Medvedev, Putin's deputy on the Security Council of Russia, said in 2024 that, "We must do everything so that Ukraine's 'irreversible path' to NATO ends" with the "disappearance" of both Ukraine and NATO.{{cite news |title=Former Russian president Medvedev says Moscow should seek 'disappearance' of Ukraine and NATO |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/former-russian-president-medvedev-says-moscow-should-seek-disappearance-ukraine-2024-07-11/ |work=Reuters |date=11 July 2024}}

{{Div col|colwidth=14em}}

• {{flagicon|Albania}} Albania
• {{flagicon|Belgium}} Belgium
• {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Bulgaria
• {{flagicon|Canada}} Canada
• {{flagicon|Croatia}} Croatia
• {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} Czech Republic
• {{flagicon|Denmark}} Denmark
• {{flagicon|Estonia}} Estonia
• {{flagicon|Finland}} Finland
• {{flagicon|France}} France
• {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany
• {{flagicon|Greece}} Greece
• {{flagicon|Hungary}} Hungary
• {{flagicon|Iceland}} Iceland
• {{flagicon|Italy}} Italy
• {{flagicon|Latvia}} Latvia
• {{flagicon|Lithuania}} Lithuania
• {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Luxembourg
• {{flagicon|Montenegro}} Montenegro
• {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Netherlands
• {{flagicon|North Macedonia}} North Macedonia
• {{flagicon|Norway}} Norway
• {{flagicon|Poland}} Poland
• {{flagicon|Portugal}} Portugal
• {{flagicon|Romania}} Romania
• {{flagicon|Slovakia}} Slovakia
• {{flagicon|Slovenia}} Slovenia
• {{flagicon|Spain}} Spain
• {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sweden
• {{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey
• {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom
• {{flagicon|United States}} United States

{{div col end}}

• Ukraine Defense Contact Group
• Foreign relations of Ukraine
• Foreign relations of NATO
• Enlargement of NATO
• NATO open door policy
• Partnership for Peace
• 2006 anti-NATO protests in Feodosia
• Ukraine–NATO Civic League
• Ukraine–Commonwealth of Independent States relations
• Ukraine–European Union relations
• Ukraine–United States relations
• Accession of Ukraine to the European Union
• Munich Agreement
• Belarus–NATO relations
• Georgia–NATO relations
• Moldova–NATO relations
• NATO–Russia relations
• Sweden–NATO relations
• Serbia–NATO relations
• Russia–Ukraine relations
• Russia–United States relations
• Russian invasion of Ukraine

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|group=nb}}

{{reflist |2|refs=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150406194902/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/europe/europe/2014-12/24/c_133876007.htm Spotlight: Scrapping non-aligned status paves Ukraine's way to NATO, fuels Russia's wrath]. Xinhua News Agency. 24 December 2014.

2021–2022

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/24/russia-attacks-ukraine-news-vladimir-putin-zelenskiy-russian-invasion {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224113751/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/24/russia-attacks-ukraine-news-vladimir-putin-zelenskiy-russian-invasion |date=24 February 2022 }}}}

{{Commonscat|Relations of NATO and Ukraine}}

• [http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_37768.htm Ukraine–NATO relations]
• [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_217652.htm NATO-Ukraine Council]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140502193915/http://www.razumkov.org.ua/eng/poll.php?poll_id=46 NATO accession support level chart (2002–2009)] by Razumkov Centre
• [https://twitter.com/NATOinUkraine NATO in Ukraine] - Official Twitter account of the NATO Representation to Ukraine

{{NATO candidates}}

{{NATO relations}}

{{Foreign relations of Ukraine}}

{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ukraine-Nato Relations}}

Category:Enlargement of NATO

NATO