The D Brief: Orban in Kyiv; Russia presides over UNSC; NATO’s new Kyiv posting; Army to field EW backpacks; And a bit more.
Defense OneJun 19
The Facts
Ahead of a NATO summit in Washington next week, Ukraine and its supporters have reportedly been pushing US and NATO officials into providing a firmer pledge for bringing the country into the military alliance.
Ukraine initially formally applied for membership in September 2022 — months after Russia launched its invasion. However, while officials have stressed that the country's future is in NATO, the closest they have come to a firm pledge is to state that it will happen "one day."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
If the US doesn't provide a firm commitment to Ukraine on NATO membership, it signals to Putin that he is able to influence American foreign policy by launching an illegal invasion. The US must stick to its guns and realize that having Ukraine in NATO is the best way to protect American interests in the region.
Establishment-critical narrative
Bringing Ukraine into NATO would not only end up unleashing further devastation to Ukraine, but this would likely make the whole military alliance weaker as well. Such a step would only play into Putin's hands by justifying his claim that he's fighting against expansionist NATO policies.