In a significant development for Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO, the United States is expected to communicate to President Volodymyr Zelensky that his country must address corruption more effectively before advancing in its membership bid. This message is anticipated to be delivered during NATO’s annual summit in Washington D.C. next week, where the defense alliance will call for Ukraine to take additional measures before formal membership discussions can proceed, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to the Telegraph.
President Zelensky has been advocating for Ukraine’s accession to NATO to ensure protection against Russia. NATO membership would obligate member states to come to each other’s defense if attacked, thus either providing Ukraine with a security guarantee or dragging Europe into a global conflict. However, ongoing corruption issues have been a persistent barrier, complicating Ukraine’s relationship with Western allies.
Corruption has been a longstanding challenge in Ukraine, despite being a focal point of reform efforts since the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. The European Commission highlighted in 2022, after Ukraine formally applied to join the European Union, that while Ukraine had made strides in combating corruption, it remained a major obstacle.
President Zelensky appears to be addressing the issue, especially within the military sector. In a decisive move in September, he dismissed all six of his deputy defense ministers without explanation, following the removal of his top defense minister earlier. These actions are part of broader efforts to tackle corruption and align with Western standards. The U.S. has acknowledged Zelensky’s reform initiatives, with a State Department official commenting to the Telegraph: “We have to step back and applaud everything that Ukraine has done in the name of reforms over the last two-plus years.” The official also emphasized the importance of ongoing anti-corruption measures, stating it is a priority for many NATO members.
NATO has provided Ukraine with a list of necessary reforms to be completed before membership can be considered. Zelensky is reportedly working through this list, with NATO officials noting that these efforts are quietly bringing Ukraine closer to fulfilling the criteria for membership.
While Ukraine endeavors to strengthen its ties with the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin is simultaneously enhancing relations with China. Putin is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a Eurasian security and defense summit in Kazakhstan. The summit, part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes major powers like Russia, China, India, and Iran, aims to project influence across Asia and counter Western dominance. During the summit, Putin will engage in a series of bilateral discussions with leaders from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Pakistan.
The SCO meeting underscores the ongoing geopolitical realignments as Western and Eurasian powers seek to expand their spheres of influence amidst global tensions.
This complex interplay of alliances and regional dynamics highlights the significant challenges and opportunities facing Ukraine as it navigates its path towards integration with Western defense structures, while also contending with domestic reform imperatives.
