On NATO’s 75th anniversary, UWC calls on the Alliance to clear a path for Ukraine’s accession

As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Alliance, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) calls on its leaders to provide a meaningful commitment to defeat Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the democratic world.

Russia will only stand down when NATO demonstrates strength and resolve by committing to Ukraine’s NATO accession at this July’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, D.C. This is not just a question of Ukraine’s security interests, but the Alliance’s dire need to increase safety, defense capabilities, and global leadership in the modern turbulent and changing geopolitical environment.

April 4th, 2024, marks 75 years since 12 nations from Europe and North America signed the Washington Treaty, and NATO was born. Having learned the grim lessons of the Second World War, the founding nations – Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States – understood the need for collective defense and the powerful potential that a defense alliance of like-minded nations could bring for peace, security, and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic zone.

Today, NATO has grown into a powerful 32-member bloc of countries, expanding the territory of security and stability into Central, Northern and Southern Europe.  However, the bloc has failed to deter a belligerent Russia in other regions of the world.  The lesson learned since the 2008 Bucharest summit, is that the Alliance’s wavering on NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia has only emboldened Russia’s military aggression and fueled its imperialist and irredentist sentiments, leading to Moscow’s full-scale military aggression against both nations.

“Today, the brave men and women of Ukraine are defending the values and principles which have shaped NATO for 75 years and guaranteed peace and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic area.  Ukraine has more than demonstrated its capability to become a NATO member. Ukraine’s Armed Forces form NATO’s most powerful and effective defense of the bloc’s eastern flank. The people of Ukraine are fully committed in their aspiration to join NATO, even enshrining it in their Constitution,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. “As a battle-hardened ally, Ukraine will be a considerable contributor to the Alliance’s security. If NATO is truly committed to thwarting Russian imperialism and its threat to the Alliance, an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO must be a priority at their 75th anniversary Leaders’ Summit in Washington this summer.”

“The UWC and Ukrainian communities across NATO member states have for many years advocated for Ukraine’s accession into the Alliance. Today Ukrainians and citizens of NATO countries are overwhelmingly in favor of Ukraine’s NATO membership. Only with Ukraine in NATO can the world put down Russian imperialism which today is the biggest threat to global peace and security!” Grod concluded.