There are different models for helping Ukraine join NATO. President Alexander Stubb presents the bilateral security guarantees of Western countries and Ukraine.
Hannele MuiluEU correspondent
BRUSSELS President By Alexander Stubb the momentum is on, from the US UN meeting to Turkey and now to Brussels.
The active president was able to meet the new Secretary General of NATO as the first leader of a NATO country. Mark Rutte has been in office for a week.
Rutte and Stubb are familiar with similar liberal right-wingers. Others were addressed by their first names and thanks were shared.
Before the President of Finland, Rutte has only had time to visit Kyiv to meet the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine is the topic of all NATO meetings, including Stubb’s and Rutte’s discussions. Both were supposed to participate in next weekend’s meeting of the Ramstein group coordinating aid to Ukraine. Holding the meeting is now uncertain when the US president Joe Biden withdrew his income.
The pressure on Ukraine to make progress on the peace plan or at least obtain a ceasefire has increased with the US presidential election only a few weeks away. If the Americans choose to be their leader Donald Trump’said to Ukraine may wane.
Various models have been presented to the public to end the war. That doesn’t mean peace is just around the corner.
Zelenskyi is supposed to present his “plan for victory” at the Ramstein meeting.
The partner who gave security guarantees goes to the rescue
Stubb raises the possibility that Western countries would give Ukraine security guarantees before actual NATO membership, because the country’s entry into NATO is difficult. At the same time, Ukraine’s own defense is being strengthened.
Stubb stated at a Finnish media press conference that the best security guarantees are provided by the United States. According to him, the US relationship with Japan or South Korea could be a model for security guarantees.
There are at least American soldiers in both countries. If the other country gets into trouble, according to the agreement, the partner goes to the rescue.
So far, twenty countries, including Finland, have made security commitments with Ukraine. However, compared to real security guarantees, they are flimsy pieces of paper that promise, among other things, military support.
It is unclear what a bilateral security guarantee would mean. If Finland gave security guarantees, would that mean sending troops to Ukraine?
Ukraine would rather take the whole package, i.e. NATO membership.
Occupied Ukraine as a member
The so-called West German model, in which Ukraine could join NATO even if its eastern parts are occupied by Russia, has also popped up again. The areas would not be recognized as belonging to Russia, but there would be no attempt to return them by military force.
NATO once protected only West Germany after it joined the military alliance. East Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union.
In any case, Ukraine’s NATO road will be rocky, as all members must accept the newcomer. Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico said on Sunday that Ukraine will not join NATO as long as he is the prime minister of his country. Hungary is hardly in favor of Ukraine joining any Western club, even better the EU or NATO. Turkey has been waiting for EU membership for almost twenty years, and does not necessarily give passing lanes to others in NATO.
Stubb and Rutte did not exactly outline anything new about Ukraine’s NATO membership. They emphasize that the support for Ukraine must continue.
Former Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg instead took a liberal stance and stated in the Financial Times that war and occupation would not necessarily prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
Stubb said he understands that it is easy to comment on someone who has left office.