When it comes to Ukraine's accession to NATO, it is important to understand that this is not just a political gesture, but a strategic choice. Pavlo Luzin, an expert on Russian military potential at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis, notes that Ukraine should rethink its attitude to NATO membership.
"I do not consider myself entitled to give advice to Ukraine, because I am not its citizen. But, based on what I'm researching and discussing with my colleagues, it's important not to fetishize NATO membership. It should not be an end in itself," Luzin emphasizes.
According to Luzin, Ukraine is already a NATO ally and the largest recipient of aid from the Alliance. "The Ukrainian army was moving to NATO standards even before 2022. This applies not only to weapons, but also to education and training," he adds.
Luzin points to the example of Finland and Sweden, which quickly joined NATO thanks to decades of cooperation with the Alliance. "Finland and Sweden were already de facto allies of NATO, and when the need arose, they received de jure status," the expert explains.
"We must not forget about Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has been a candidate since 2010, but no real changes are taking place due to political and economic difficulties. The most important thing is not an invitation to join, but internal reforms and development," Luzin says.
He also draws parallels with other countries that are not NATO members but have close ties to the Alliance. "Israel and Australia are not members of NATO, but they are allies of the West. South Korea and Japan have also come a long way in terms of economic and military development to become true partners of the United States," adds Luzin.
Luzin emphasizes that it is important to focus on internal transformations, not just on the formal aspects of membership.
"You should not fetishize membership in the Alliance or the MAP. The real goal is internal changes and development," he summarizes.
It is important to focus on internal reforms and transformations that will make the country stronger and more independent, regardless of its formal status in the Alliance. This is a long road that requires considerable effort, but it is the road that will lead to real partnership and security for Ukraine.
