Ukraine, NATO restoring Europe's security architecture - Yermak

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has said that Ukraine and NATO are restoring the European security architecture.

He said this in an article published on the Atlantic Council website, Ukrinform reports.

"Together with our allies, we set out on the path to restore the European security architecture. We are determined not to stray from it again," Yermak said.

According to him, the Ukraine Compact, open for others to join, became the final piece in creating an ecosystem of security guarantees for the country. This document is designed to enhance Ukrain's resilience and ability to defend itself in the future, and to serve as a bridge during the period when Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty does not yet apply.

"The bridge metaphor is also enshrined in the NATO summit's final declaration. This is a crucial detail. Since 2008, Ukraine has been hitting a glass wall trying to enter the Alliance's supposedly 'open doors,' and now it has been removed," Yermak wrote.

Another strong step, in his opinion, is the statement in the summit declaration's statement on Ukraine's irreversible path to NATO.

"The Washington summit demonstrated that the Alliance can no longer limit itself to the Euro-Atlantic space as it seeks to effectively counter global challenges and threats. Aggressive autocracies are increasingly collaborating and taking on the shape of a military-political alliance. For all democratic countries this means one thing: Russia is not alone in its aggression against Ukraine, and the possibility of new conflicts elsewhere depends on Moscow's ability to succeed. It is therefore in our common interest to do everything to ensure that Ukraine emerges victorious from this war, and that this victory is convincing," Yermak said.

In this regard, he noted that the further strengthening of Ukraine's air defense system is crucial in view of Russia's intentions continue terrorizing our civilian population by destroying residential buildings, power grids, and other critical infrastructure.

"The recent strikes on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv, as well as two additional health clinics, have once again clearly demonstrated that for the Russian military, there are no red lines in terms of international law and ethics. There is therefore no alternative to strengthening the air shield over Ukraine," Yermak said.

He said that one of the key components of this air shield would be F-16 jets. Ukraine's allies have committed to delivering the first batch this summer.

"However, I have to emphasize that this is not enough. The Russians boast about using three-ton guided bombs against Ukraine. Their bombers are based at airfields in Russia's border regions. In order to neutralize this threat, we still need long-range capabilities. Simply put, if there is a hornet's nest in your neighborhood, you can hunt them one by one with varying success, or you can destroy the nest itself. Currently, only the first option is available to us, and even that is quite limited," Yermak said.

He thanked international partners for their specific commitments to aid Ukraine, and for implementing a system of proportional contributions that will provide base funding of EUR 40 billion over the next year. "We expect these funds to be spent specifically on purchasing weapons, rather than alternative forms of support, which are undoubtedly important as well," Yermak said.

"At the same time, it is worth noting that this burden could be reduced by fine-tuning mechanisms for transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine," Yermak said.

He also mentioned the need to increase sanctions pressure on both Russia and the partners who enable Moscow to continue making weapons using microelectronics produced in the West.

"Our relationship with NATO has always been a two-way street, and we remain committed to this principle. We fully understand that one of the leading factors in Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration is our capacity for transformation... Changes continue despite the war, and they are irreversible," Yermak said.

He stressed that the reforms mentioned in the summit's final declaration are of utmost importance for Ukraine's prospects. However, common sense suggests that all these changes will only matter if Ukraine withstands this war.

"Only a strong, free, and successful Ukraine can be a reliable outpost of democracy in Eastern Europe. Comprehensive and long-term assistance to Ukraine is not charity. It's an investment in a secure future for the entire Euro-Atlantic community," Yermak said.