Not only NATO membership: Diplomat outlines security guarantees that could deter Putin
Steven Pifer named three concrete steps that could serve as robust security guarantees for Ukraine.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer / © video screenshot
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer called NATO membership the best option for Kyiv’s security guarantees. He stressed that the Ukrainian army has long outgrown the status of a “security consumer” and has become a “security provider.” However, there are other options that could deter Russian aggression, even if Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance has to be postponed.
Pifer said this in an interview with 24 Kanal.
Ukraine’s army: largest and most battle-tested
Steven Pifer expressed confidence that Ukraine must be part of NATO, since its Armed Forces are already among the most experienced of all NATO member states.
“I believe that one of the best options for Ukraine’s security guarantees would be NATO membership. Moreover, as the Ukrainians have shown, Ukraine in NATO would not only be a consumer of security, but also a provider of it,” the former ambassador said.
He added that compared to NATO countries’ militaries, Ukraine’s army is undoubtedly the largest and most experienced, having been tested by years of fierce battles.
Pifer also recalled that despite Donald Trump’s stance — that he “does not support the idea of NATO membership” — the 2023 Alliance summit declared Ukraine’s path to membership as irreversible. Trump would not be able to change this position without the consent of all NATO members, many of whom support Ukraine, though U.S. policy may shift after the next presidential election in 2029.
Options to deter Russia without NATO
The diplomat believes there are concrete steps that could serve as reliable guarantees for Ukraine, even if NATO membership is not possible in the coming years:
- A modern army under Ukrainian control. One option would be a Western commitment that, in the event of a peace settlement, it would not only continue to arm Ukraine but ensure it has a modern, well-equipped army under full Ukrainian control. According to Pifer, this could deter Russia from resuming aggression.
- A coalition of the willing. Another realistic idea would be the creation of a “coalition of the willing” led by key European partners. This coalition could deploy deterrent forces on Ukrainian territory with some U.S. support.
Steven Pifer emphasizes that all these options are realistic and would serve as reliable guarantees for Ukraine.