NATO - Ukraine relations

A few years later, in 1994, Ukraine became the first of the Commonwealth of Independent States to join the Partnership for Peace. The country soon demonstrated its commitment to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security in its support for the NATO-led peacekeeping operations in the Balkans during the 1990s.

The 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership recognised the importance of an independent, stable and democratic Ukraine to European stability. The Charter set out principles and arrangements for the further development of NATO-Ukraine relations and identified areas for consultation and cooperation, establishing the NATO-Ukraine Commission to take work forward.

Steps were taken to deepen and broaden the NATO-Ukraine relationship with the adoption of the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan in November 2002. It aims to support Ukraine’s reform efforts on the road towards full integration in Euro-Atlantic security structures.

In the wake of the “Orange Revolution, newly elected President Viktor Yushchenko was invited to a summit meeting at NATO Headquarters in February 2005. NATO leaders expressed support for the new President’s ambitious reform plans for Ukraine and agreed to sharpen and refocus NATO-Ukraine cooperation in line with the new government’s priorities.

Two months later, at the NUC meeting of foreign ministers in Vilnius, Lithuania , in April, the Allies and Ukraine launched an Intensified Dialogue on Ukraine’s aspirations to NATO membership. They also announced a package of short-term actions designed to enhance NATO-Ukraine cooperation in key reform areas.

1991	Formal relations between NATO and Ukraine begin when Ukraine joins the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council), immediately upon achieving independence following the break-up of the Soviet Union.
1994	Ukraine is the first member state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP).
1996	Ukrainian soldiers deploy as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1997	The NATO Information and Documentation Centre opens in Kyiv to provide information about NATO’s activities and evolving mandate, and to promote the benefits of NATO-Ukraine cooperation.
	In July, at a summit meeting in Madrid, Spain, the Allies and Ukraine formally sign the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership, establishing the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC)
	Ukraine establishes a diplomatic mission to NATO.
1998	The NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Defence Reform is established.
1999	The NATO Liaison Office opens in Kyiv to facilitate Ukraine’s participation in the PfP programme and support its reform efforts, by liaising with the Ministry of Defence and other Ukrainian agencies.
	The Polish-Ukrainian battalion deploys as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo.
2000	In May, the Ukrainian parliament ratifies the PfP Status of Forces Agreement.
	In September, Ukraine hosts a multinational disaster-response exercise, Trans-Carpathia 2000.
2002	In May, President Leonid Kuchma announces Ukraine’s goal of eventual NATO membership. At a NUC meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, foreign ministers underline their desire to take their relationship forward to a qualitatively new level.
	In July, a PfP Trust Fund project for the safe destruction of 400 000 landmines is inaugurated in Donetsk.
	The NATO-Ukraine Action Plan is adopted at a NUC meeting of foreign ministers in November in Prague, the Czech Republic
2004	In March, the Ukrainian parliament ratifies an agreement with NATO on Host Nation Support.
	Ukraine signs an agreement with NATO on Strategic Airlift.
	In the autumn, the Allies closely follow political developments surrounding the presidential elections in Ukraine and the “Orange Revolution”. They stress the importance of respect for free and fair elections and postpone a NUC ministerial-level meeting scheduled for December.
2005	In February, the Allies invite newly-elected President Viktor Yushchenko to a summit meeting at NATO Headquarters. They express support for his ambitious reform plans and agree to refocus NATO-Ukraine cooperation in line with the new government’s priorities.
	A PfP Trust Fund project is launched with Ukraine to destroy 133 000 tons of conventional munitions, 1.5 million small arms and 1000 man-portable air defence systems over an estimated 12 years – it is the largest single demilitarisation project of its kind in the world.
	In April, at the NUC meeting of foreign ministers in Vilnius, Lithuania, the Allies and Ukraine launch an Intensified Dialogue on Ukraine’s aspirations to NATO membership and a package of short-term actions to strengthen support for key reforms.
	An exchange of letters between NATO and Ukraine agrees procedures to prepare the way for Ukraine’s support for the NATO-led maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean, Operation Active Endeavour.
	In September, a series of staff-level expert discussions is initiated under the Intensified Dialogue.
	In October, Ukraine hosts a multinational disaster-response exercise, Joint Assistance 2005.
	In October, the North Atlantic Council visits Kyiv to discuss the Intensified Dialogue with Ukraine’s foreign and defence ministers.
	In December, at a NUC meeting at NATO Headquarters, Allied foreign ministers stress that further progress towards Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration, including possible participation in NATO’s Membership Action Plan, would depend on concrete, measurable progress in the implementation of key reforms and policies.
2006	In February, a Resettlement and Retraining Centre is inaugurated in Khmelnitskyi – the Centre, supported by Allies through a PfP Trust Fund, is the single largest provider of such assistance to retiring military personnel in Ukraine.
	In March, NATO’s Secretary General welcomes the conduct of free and fair parliamentary elections as contributing to the consolidation of democracy in Ukraine.
	In September, during a visit to NATO, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych reassures Allies of Ukraine’s commitment to ongoing cooperation with NATO but says the Ukrainian people are not yet ready to consider possible NATO membership.
	In October, the Ukrainian parliament ratifies the agreement on Strategic Airlift.
2007	First Ukrainian ship deploys in support of Operation Active Endeavour.
	Ukraine sends medical personnel to support a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan.
	10th anniversary of the NATO-Ukraine Distinctive Partnership.
2008	At the Bucharest Summit in April, Allied leaders agree that Ukraine will become a NATO member in future and that its application to join the Membership Action Plan, would be reviewed in December 2008.