NATO - Ukraine relations

How did it evolve?

The first concrete step in this process was taken on 27 June 2005, during the Secretary General‘s visit to Kyiv, when the Ukrainian government formally presented an initial discussion paper.

The discussion paper addressed key issues set out in the 1995 Study on NATO Enlargement and 1997 Membership Action Plan Document– domestic and foreign policy, defence and security sector reform as well as legal and security issues. While outlining reform efforts already being undertaken in these areas, the paper highlighted in specific terms those areas where progress would be needed to bring Ukraine 's membership aspirations closer to reality.

This paper has provided the basis for the holding of a series of structured expert discussions, underway since September 2005, which give Ukrainian officials the opportunity to learn more about what would be expected from Ukraine as a potential member of the Alliance, while also allowing NATO officials to examine in greater detail Ukrainian reform policy and capabilities.

In parallel with the Intensified Dialogue, a package of short-term actions was also launched in Vilnius , designed to enhance NATO-Ukraine cooperation in key reform areas: strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing political dialogue, intensifying defence and security sector reform, improving public information, and managing the social and economic consequences of reform. These are vital to the success of Ukraine’s democratic transformation and are also areas where NATO can offer specific expertise and, in some cases, material assistance.

Both the Intensified Dialogue and the package of short-term measures are intended to complement and reinforce existing cooperation in the framework of the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan.