By Ambassador of Ukraine Larysa Dir
Today, NATO is the most powerful defense alliance, as it was 75 years ago.
Each state that becomes a member of the Alliance strengthens it and becomes stronger itself.
Ukraine congratulates North Macedonia on the 4th anniversary of joining the powerful NATO family.
Building its own defense system, modernizing the Macedonian army to NATO standards, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia has always responded to Ukraine’s appeals to help with weapons and ammunition.
Ukrainians are grateful to North Macedonia for their help, for making more than 10 decisions to provide Ukraine with defense packages so that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could defend themselves against the Russian aggression.
The Republic of North Macedonia also confirmed its support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and an invitation to join NATO when the conditions allow it, and also expressed the hope that the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington will create conditions for Ukraine to be closer to NATO – this is stated in the Joint Declaration signed by Ukraine and North Macedonia on the 28th of February, 2024 in Tirana.
Despite the ongoing full-scale war, the Allies can invite Ukraine to the Alliance and start accession talks (as the EU did it). The invitation does not mean that Ukraine immediately becomes member of the Alliance. Invitation does not invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. The invitation will only give a green light to the accession talks.
At an incredibly difficult time, when NATO must be ready for challenges from all sides at 360 degrees, the following are strategically important for NATO: a united political will; organization of the defense industry; strengthening of the military potential.
Not being a member of the Alliance, but sharing its values, a third year in a row Ukraine has been resisting the brutal full-scale aggression of the kremlin, which is the antipode of the democratic world.
No words will bring back to life the Ukrainian defenders who protect both Ukraine and the democratic world, but the united political will of the Alliance members regarding military assistance to Ukraine – with long-range weapons, anti-aircraft defense systems, fighter jets, can save the lives of those currently on the front line and also civilian lives.
Ukraine is already an integral component of Euro-Atlantic security. We do not have the umbrella of the 5th article of the Washington Treaty yet, but Ukraine is de-facto defending NATO’s Eastern flank.
Ukrainian membership in NATO and the European Union should also be a part of our victory together with restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and bringing russia to justice for the committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and crime of aggression and ensuring its payment of reparations for the material damage caused.
Thank you all very much for your support!
The content of this article corresponds with the speech of the Ambassador of Ukraine Larysa Dir during the traditional NATO breakfast organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia on March 27, 2024.
