Ukraine had a real opportunity to join NATO back in 2006, but internal political differences prevented this important step. As it became known from the documentary project of TSN "USA-UA: Secret files of the White House", the then US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Steve Pifer said that the main obstacle was the disagreement between President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
Peifer noted that Yushchenko actively supported the receipt of the Action Plan on NATO membership and was determined to deepen cooperation with the Alliance. However, then Prime Minister Yanukovych opposed this step, which became the key reason for refusing further negotiations. At that time, according to Peifer, Russia did not show such active resistance as it did in 2008 during the Bucharest NATO summit, where Ukraine was again denied membership.
Ukraine's early steps towards NATO
After the declaration of independence, Ukraine immediately set a course for rapprochement with NATO. In 1992, the first president, Leonid Kravchuk, visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels, and in 1994, Ukraine was the first among the post-Soviet states to sign an agreement within the framework of the Partnership for Peace initiative. However, political disagreements and changes in the priorities of the Ukrainian authorities became an obstacle to a faster integration process.
Modern prospects of Ukraine joining the Alliance
Against the backdrop of the war with Russia, Ukraine resumed the rapprochement process with NATO, applying for membership on September 30, 2022. At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that Ukraine will become the 33rd member of the Alliance. At the same time, according to Politico , seven NATO member states have expressed concerns about Ukraine's accession, in particular due to the risks of an escalation of the conflict with Russia.
As the FT , a possible compromise could be an approach similar to the "West German model". Such an option would allow Ukraine to become part of NATO, despite the temporary occupation of part of its territory by Russia.
