NATO-Ukraine relations

At the Bucharest Summit in April 2008, Allied leaders agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member in future. NATO will work with Ukraine to address outstanding questions regarding its application to join the Membership Action Plan, which will be reviewed by NATO foreign ministers in December 2008.

The formal basis for NATO-Ukraine relations is provided by the 1997 NATO-Ukraine Charter on a Distinctive Partnership. The Charter identified areas for consultation and cooperation and established the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) to take work forward.

Since then, the relationship has developed progressively and a pattern of dialogue and cooperation has become well-established in a wide range of areas. In particular, Ukraine has proved to be an important contributor to Euro-Atlantic security in the framework of NATO-led operations. Another important aspect of relations is the support given by NATO and individual Allies for Ukraine’s ongoing reform efforts, particularly in the defence and security sectors.

NATO-Ukraine Action Plan

These reforms are vital for the country’s democratic development and the realisation of its goal to become more integrated with Euro-Atlantic structures. A useful tool in this process is the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan, adopted in November 2002, which sets long-term objectives in key areas and provides a framework for deepened and broadened cooperation. Annual Target Plans support the implementation of the Action Plan’s objectives.

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NATO-Ukraine Intensified Dialogue

Another important milestone in NATO-Ukraine relations was the launch of the Intensified Dialogue in April 2005. It was a clear signal that NATO Allies support Ukraine's integration aspirations and that they are committed to providing assistance and advice. An invitation would be based on Ukraine's performance in implementing key reform goals. Ultimately, however, it is up to the Ukrainian people and their elected leaders to determine the country’s future path with NATO.

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What does this mean in practice?

Consultations and cooperation between NATO and Ukraine cover a wide range of areas identified in the 1997 Charter and the 2002 Action Plan. These include peace-support operations and security, defence reform, military-to-military cooperation, armaments, civil emergency planning, and science and environment. The NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) directs cooperative activities and provides a forum for consultation between the Allies and Ukraine on security issues of common concern.

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How did this policy evolve?

NATO-Ukraine relations date back to 1991, when Ukraine joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1991 (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council), immediately upon achieving independence with the break-up of the Soviet Union. A few years later, in 1994, Ukraine became the first of the Commonwealth of Independent States to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP).

Which NATO bodies play a central role in implementing this policy?

The NATO-Ukraine Commission is the principal structure and forum for developing the NATO-Ukraine relationship and directing cooperative activities. Joint working groups have also been set up under the auspices of the NUC, to take work forward in specific areas. Of particular importance are the Political Committee in NUC format, and the Joint Working Group on Defence Reform. The political dialogue between NATO Allies and Ukraine is regularly undertaken in the NUC Political Committee, which also takes the leading role in developing the NATO-Ukraine Annual Target Plans and the preparation of high-level meetings of the NUC. The Joint Working Group on Defence Reform was established to facilitate consultation and practical cooperation in the priority area of defence and security sector reform.

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