Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin may have more to discuss with his NATO allies than just whether to extend the mission in Afghanistan, as Ukraine, facing mounting pressure from Russia, reportedly seeks fast-track entry into the alliance.
Russia has continued to mass soldiers along the southeast border of Ukraine and increasingly militarizes Crimea, which Russian President Vladimir Putin seized from Ukraine in 2014. In the years since, NATO has worked to bolster its presence along the eastern flank to deter Russian aggression. In July 2020, Ukraine reached a ceasefire in the restive Donetsk region, where Russia has supported Ukrainian separatists. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and national security adviser Jake Sullivan have called their Ukrainian counterparts in recent days, and the United States has failed to receive an explanation from Russia.
“We’re being honest that we’re not quite sure,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday.
“By dint of the fact that we’re asking for and we want clarification on what they’re doing, it’s safe to say that they did not notify of exercises,” he added, referring to a mutual agreement to notify when military exercises are underway.
MILITARIZATION OF CRIMEA HEIGHTENS THREAT TO NATO’S SOUTHEASTERN FLANK
Kirby clarified to the Washington Examiner that the troop movements were both in and around Crimea, which lies just some 200 miles from NATO borders.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked NATO for a path to join the alliance, according to press reports, following a tacit agreement with NATO in 2008 to eventually join when certain conditions were met.
That agreement was long before Russia invaded Ukraine and made clear it disapproves of a new NATO member.
The Pentagon Tuesday declined to address the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO.
The U.S. is already a major defense partner to Ukraine, announcing $125 million in naval donations earlier this year to help Ukraine defend its Black Sea coast. The U.S. also regularly conducts military exercises with Ukraine, although U.S. European Command confirmed Wednesday that Ukraine will not be part of the DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercises in the region.
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The exercises are meant to demonstrate a rapid capability to move a high number of troops and equipment to the eastern flank of NATO.
That leaves Ukraine with few options aside from calls by the U.S. and NATO for Russia to back off.
“What’s important is to de-escalate the tensions along that border,” Kirby said. “For the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Ukraine to be respected by Russia.”
