Ukraine is not merely as a recipient of assistance but a strategic partner whose combat experience is an invaluable asset. The perception of Ukraine’s role within NATO is visibly changing, as the defence ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany openly recognised that Kyiv has already become a „contributor“ to Europe’s collective security and should eventually take its place in the Alliance.
Their remarks, made after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and in the wake of Russian drones’ territorial violations over Poland, reflect a broader shift within NATO towards viewing Ukraine not merely as a recipient of assistance but as a strategic partner whose combat experience is strengthening the overall security framework in Europe.
How perceptions of Ukraine’s role had evolved after the recent drone attack on Poland, and whether the Alliance now recognised that Ukraine was already contributing to collective security and should therefore be part of NATO.
“The short answer to that question is yes,” said UK Defence Secretary John Gill, before elaborating.
“There is growing understanding and recognition of Ukraine’s importance and its role in training military personnel from NATO member states,” he said, acknowledging that the violations over Poland had been a turning point.
“Recent developments, with Russian drones violating European airspace and Ukraine offering its assistance, have shown many that Ukraine is not only fighting for its own future. Ukraine’s unique combat experience already constitutes, and will continue to be, a contribution to pan-European security,” Gill explained.
“I can only agree with that,” added German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, supporting his British counterpart’s position.
It is worth noting that the United Kingdom has traditionally supported Ukraine’s accession to NATO, while Germany had long been more sceptical on this issue.
NATO’s stance towards Ukraine swiftly shifted following the Russian drone violations over Poland. The September incident prompted European partners to pay closer attention to Ukraine’s role in the continent’s collective defence. Speaking to journalists Ukraine’s Ambassador to NATO, Alyona Hetmanchuk, said in September that the incident ultimately backfired on Moscow. “This attack, in the end, worked to Russia’s detriment. Ukraine’s arguments began to be heard more clearly. If Putin intended to divert attention from Ukraine through these attacks, it seems he once again miscalculated—he has actually drawn even more attention to us,” she said. In September, Ukraine and Poland agreed to establish a joint operational group for unmanned aerial systems, comprising representatives of both countries’ armed forces. Additionally, a Ukrainian military mission has already been deployed to Denmark to share its experience in countering enemy drones with allied partners.