Ukraine has effectively become one of the key guarantors of European security, countering Russian aggression on a daily basis. Although the country is not yet a NATO member, the Ukrainian military is already carrying out a mission that directly protects Alliance members from the Russian threat.
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made the remarks at a security conference in Visby, Sweden, stressing that full NATO membership must remain Ukraine’s unwavering strategic objective.
“Ukraine is already acting as a kind of Article 5 for NATO. We are doing the hardest work, resisting Russian aggression every single day. By doing so, we are containing Russian aggression, protecting our European neighbors, defending NATO, and doing it brilliantly,” Poroshenko emphasized.
According to the former president, Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to withstand large-scale military aggression and make a significant contribution to Europe’s collective security. At the same time, he believes that no regional defense cooperation framework can fully replace NATO.
Poroshenko praised Ukraine’s cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries, particularly through the NB8+Ukraine format. However, he stressed that such initiatives should complement the transatlantic security system rather than serve as alternatives to NATO membership.
“We must use everything, including NB8. But NATO remains the priority,” he noted.
During his speech, Poroshenko outlined five principles that he believes are essential to keeping NATO strong. The first was the need to maintain transatlantic unity and optimism, preventing Russia from undermining trust among allies.
His second principle was Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to joining NATO. He recalled that constitutional amendments adopted during his presidency enshrined Ukraine’s strategic course toward full membership in the Alliance.
“Ukraine’s membership in NATO is definitely an issue that must remain on the agenda. We know what needs to be done, and I am proud that I was the author of the amendments to Ukraine’s Constitution establishing full NATO membership as our security objective,” the politician stated.
Poroshenko also focused on internal threats facing the Alliance. According to him, NATO could be weakened not only by external aggression but also by populism, political disagreements, and a loss of unity among its member states.
“We have Article 5 to protect us against external aggression, but no Article 5 can protect us from political division. We could find ourselves in a situation where NATO is weakened without a single Russian soldier crossing any NATO border,” he warned.
Discussing Ukraine’s prospects for joining the Alliance, Poroshenko acknowledged the existence of political obstacles but emphasized that he does not share pessimistic assessments of Ukraine’s future in NATO.
He challenged skeptics by asking what more Ukrainians must do to demonstrate their right to become full participants in the collective defense system.
“And to those who are pessimistic, I want to ask: what else must Ukraine do after Kharkiv, after Kherson, to have the great honor of becoming a NATO member?” the former president asked.
Another major topic of his speech was countering Russian aerial threats. Poroshenko urged European countries to make greater use of Ukraine’s battlefield experience, particularly in detecting and identifying drones and cruise missiles.
According to him, Ukrainian technologies make it possible to combine radar, acoustic, thermal imaging, and optical data to identify aerial targets. He believes this experience could significantly strengthen the protection of European airspace.
“I want to demonstrate to you the radar coverage, acoustic data, thermal and optical indicators. And long before they cross your borders, you will already have a target identified,” Poroshenko explained.
Leave a comment