Washington Summit was challenge not only for Ukraine but also for NATO – expert

This was stated by the head of the Centre for Military and Legal Studies, eksandr Musienko, during a roundtable discussion on "NATO for Ukraine, Ukraine for NATO – Prospects and Benefits for Both Sides", Ukrinform reports.

"This summit has shown the challenges facing not only Ukraine but also NATO," the expert said.

Musienko pointed out the impossibility of Ukraine's accession to NATO during the Russian aggression. "It [the NATO Washington Summit] could not have ended with accession, as stated by President of Ukraine Vodymyr Zelensky, and the Alliance itself confirmed that Ukraine would become a member after the war," the military analyst said.

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He added that it is extremely important for Ukraine to have a clear understanding from NATO partners when the war is over. "NATO partners say that they will accept Ukraine after the end of the state of war. It is important for us to know when they understand this state of war to come," he emphasised.

Musienko reminded that Ukraine's path to NATO will take place without a Membership Action Plan (MAP). "Like Sweden and Finland, Ukraine will become a NATO member without a MAP, and our partners highly appreciate the pace of reforms we are implementing on our way to membership," Musienko said.

He stressed the importance for NATO to give clear and realistic signals for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance. "NATO needs to give Ukraine clear signals about its future membership, it is in the interests of the Alliance, otherwise it will play along with Russian praganda and push Ukraine towards Russia," the military expert stressed.

Musienko drew attention to a new level of coeration between Ukraine and NATO. "The creation of a special team in Germany to improve the coordination of assistance to us, the ening of the office of the NATO Special Representative. This raises our relations with NATO to a new level," said the head of the think tank.

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Musienko stressed the importance of learning from Ukraine's experience of resisting Russian aggression for the betterment of NATO. "NATO has not yet faced such an enemy as Russia, the Russian-Ukrainian war has changed the understanding of modern military conflicts, so Ukraine can help NATO by sharing its experience with the Alliance to prepare for the wars of the future," the military analyst concluded.

As Ukrinform reported, Ukraine cannot be fully satisfied with the results of the NATO anniversary summit, despite the important strategic decisions taken in Washington, as stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis.