NATO Dialogue with Ukraine is Most Trusting, Says Hetmanchuk

Alena Hetmanchuk, the head of the Ukrainian mission to NATO, declared that the dialogue between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) is the most trusting and intense it has ever been. She shared this perspective during a discussion titled 'Less than Membership, but More than Partnership: What NATO Really Offers Ukraine?', organized by the 'New Europe' center. This event attracted numerous experts and journalists who deliberated on the significance of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in the context of security and stability in the region.

Hetmanchuk pointed out that during her time at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, she feels as though she represents a partner country rather than a member state of the alliance. This sentiment, she noted, is particularly acute given that Ukraine is still not a full-fledged NATO member. 'This feeling of injustice is sharply manifested when you are in Brussels... But I must acknowledge that today we have the most intense and most trusting dialogue between Ukraine and the Alliance,' she emphasized.

According to Hetmanchuk, most NATO member countries perceive Ukraine as an 'invisible future' member of the alliance. At the same time, she mentioned that only a small number of countries oppose Ukraine's membership in NATO. This positive shift in the perception of Ukraine, according to the head of the mission, is attributed to the current leadership of NATO, the secretariat, and member countries that support Ukraine's aspirations.

Hetmanchuk also expressed confidence that NATO is doing more for Ukraine than it may seem at first glance, considering the limitations and secrecy regimes. She cited the example of Ukraine's active participation in NATO's collective defense exercises, which typically involve only member countries. This indicates that Ukraine is already integrating into NATO structures, even without being an official member.

It is worth noting that recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that it would be unwise to keep Ukraine outside of NATO, as this is precisely what Russia desires. This statement has become an important part of Ukraine's foreign policy, which focuses on strengthening cooperation with NATO and other Western partners in the field of security.

Thus, the dialogue between Ukraine and NATO continues to evolve, and despite the absence of formal membership, Ukraine is receiving substantial support and collaboration from the Alliance. This underscores the importance of strategic partnership in the face of contemporary security challenges in Europe.