I am consistently bewildered by how many people seem to think Ukraine’s membership in NATO is something that should be decided by Ukraine alone. NATO is a mutual defense compact: an international commitment involving multiple parties. So it inherently affects the United States and other NATO member nations. For the United States (or France, or anyone) to decline a military alliance with Ukraine—that is, to “shut the door” on Ukrainian membership—would not be a denial of Ukrainian sovereignty, but an EXERCISE of American/French sovereignty. That’s absolutely within the West’s moral right to offer if it feels it would serve their interests (and in my personal opinion, it would be in Ukraine’s interests too).
It’s complicated because seeking NATO membership is literally in Ukraine’s constitution. So even if Zelensky estimated it to be in his interests to pledge neutrality, his mandate does not allow him to do so. The West kind of hung him out to dry by opening the door, except not really, giving them false hope while gratuitously provoking their neighbor. We were the only ones who had the leverage and domestic political situation to close the door these past few months, and we should have.
Either side (Ukraine or NATO) can make the decision unilaterally, but if in fact “it would be in Ukraine’s interests” then Ukraine could rationally make that call. If NATO had said “we’re permanently shutting the door on you and it’s for your own good!”, the world would rightly question the “for your own good” part.
I am consistently bewildered by how many people seem to think Ukraine’s membership in NATO is something that should be decided by Ukraine alone. NATO is a mutual defense compact: an international commitment involving multiple parties. So it inherently affects the United States and other NATO member nations. For the United States (or France, or anyone) to decline a military alliance with Ukraine—that is, to “shut the door” on Ukrainian membership—would not be a denial of Ukrainian sovereignty, but an EXERCISE of American/French sovereignty. That’s absolutely within the West’s moral right to offer if it feels it would serve their interests (and in my personal opinion, it would be in Ukraine’s interests too).
It’s complicated because seeking NATO membership is literally in Ukraine’s constitution. So even if Zelensky estimated it to be in his interests to pledge neutrality, his mandate does not allow him to do so. The West kind of hung him out to dry by opening the door, except not really, giving them false hope while gratuitously provoking their neighbor. We were the only ones who had the leverage and domestic political situation to close the door these past few months, and we should have.
Either side (Ukraine or NATO) can make the decision unilaterally, but if in fact “it would be in Ukraine’s interests” then Ukraine could rationally make that call. If NATO had said “we’re permanently shutting the door on you and it’s for your own good!”, the world would rightly question the “for your own good” part.