NATO leaders are meeting in Madrid this week. They are gathering to discuss the war in Ukraine and ways to strengthen the alliance against Russian aggression. One of the main topics on the agenda is Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
Ukraine applied for NATO membership in 2008. However, Turkey blocked its membership due to concerns about its relationship with Kurdish separatists. Recently, Turkey reached a deal with Sweden and Finland, who also applied for NATO membership, to lift its veto.
With Turkey’s agreement, NATO can now consider a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine. A MAP is a roadmap that outlines the steps a country must take to meet NATO’s standards and requirements for membership.
Whether NATO leaders will agree on offering Ukraine a MAP at this summit remains uncertain. Some countries, like Germany, hesitate to provide a concrete path to membership. They prefer to prioritize assisting Kyiv in countering the Russian invasion.
On the other hand, the United States and other nations are advocating for Ukraine to be offered a MAP. They believe it would demonstrate strong support for Ukraine and act as a deterrent against further Russian aggression.
Deciding whether to offer Ukraine a MAP will be challenging for NATO leaders. They must carefully consider the security risks associated with admitting a country engaged in war, while also showing support for Ukraine and deterring Russia.
The outcome of the summit will be closely watched by Ukraine and Russia. If NATO agrees to offer Ukraine a MAP, it will be a significant victory for Kyiv. However, if NATO declines to offer a MAP, it will be a major setback for Ukraine and could embolden Russia.
In addition to Ukraine’s situation, the summit is expected to address strengthening NATO’s defenses in Eastern Europe. Leaders will likely discuss deploying more troops and weapons to the region. They will also explore avenues to enhance cooperation with Ukraine and other countries in the area.
The Madrid summit marks a critical moment for NATO. The alliance faces its most significant challenge since the Cold War. The decisions made at the summit will profoundly impact the future of the alliance.
