Ukraine, EU, and NATO: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ukraine Joining the European Union and NATO

NATO

Advantages:

1. Improvement of living standards; countries who join NATO have an opportunity to defend their national interests.
2. Modernization of armed forces based on new technology.
3. Ukraine could achieve a more active part in processes of decision-making concerning the interests of Euro-Atlantic security.
4. Ukraine joining NATO will strengthen political independence, give them protection from external interference, and contribute to the country’s attractiveness in the eyes of international investors.

Disadvantages:

1. Large annual membership contributions.
2. Increase in defense spending.
3. Obligation to provide assistance to other states in the event of an armed attack.
4. Changes to Ukraine’s constitution are required.
5. Limitation of autonomy in making decisions in foreign and defense policy.
6. Ukraine will turn into a kind of buffer in Eastern Europe.

Concerning whether Ukraine should join both the EU and NATO, I believe that, in general terms, Ukraine would mostly benefit in terms of economic and security aspects.

The economic benefits of such integration are obvious: Ukraine would benefit from becoming a member of the single European market. They will experience non-tariff barriers and national treatment, meaning that any foreign product entering Ukrainian territory will be treated as though it were a Ukrainian product. Furthermore, import and export procedures will become easier.

Regarding security benefits, we must take a closer look at NATO membership. By joining this organization, Ukraine must achieve further democratic values and, as mentioned before, improvement of living standards. Ukraine benefits from security by becoming a member of NATO. Concerning the US, we could also say that it benefits them as they can count on an Eastern European country to cope with Russian aggressions.

The closer Ukraine moves towards the West, the better off its citizens will be. For a long time now, Ukraine has wavered between a Western and an Eastern orientation. But Ukraine's true home lies in the West, in Europe. And Ukraine must come home; they must forget the past and look for a better future.