NATO countries are considering an Israeli-style security agreement for Ukraine while its membership in the military alliance remains years away, the Washington Post reported on May 22.
Israel is not a member of NATO, and the U.S. is not bound by a treaty to come to its aid militarily. However, Israel "has enjoyed a special relationship with the U.S. as Washington’s most stalwart partner in the Middle East," the Washington Post wrote.
The U.S. has committed to providing Israel with $38 billion in military aid between 2019 and 2028.
A similar agreement could potentially deter Russian dictator Vladimir Putin from committing to a long-term war with Ukraine. In an interview with the Washington Post, Polish President Andrzej Duda said the idea has been gaining traction among Ukraine's Western allies.
On May 15, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine's victory against Russia would be the starting point to moving forward with NATO membership.
"It is only if Ukraine prevails as a sovereign independent nation in Europe that there is any meaning in discussing when and how Ukraine can become a member of the (NATO military) alliance," Stoltenberg added.
During the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius this July, which President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend, allies are set to launch the Ukraine NATO Council, which "would serve as a gateway to future membership," the Washington Post wrote, citing several European and NATO officials.
The agreement "would give (Ukraine) priority to arms transfers and advanced technology."
Furthermore, it would allow Ukraine "the power to summon a meeting of the council and seek assistance" and the U.S. "would serve as the prime guarantor of the security arrangements" alongside European NATO members.
Asami Terajima
(Updated: )
