NATO published its annual report for 2024, and this document has generated considerable interest in international circles and among Ukrainian politicians
The main news is that it does not mention the prospect of Ukraine’s swift or unconditional accession to the Alliance. This delay in wording came as a surprise to many analysts and observers who previously expected clearer support for Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO. The document explicitly affirms the policy of "open doors," which envisages the possibility of expanding the Alliance through the admission of any democratic country capable of meeting the standards and values of the North Atlantic Treaty. However, there are no specific commitments or confirmations that Ukraine is or will be a NATO member in the near future. This has caused surprise among Ukrainian diplomats and experts, since earlier reports, such as the 2023 report, directly supported Ukraine’s ambition to join the Alliance. According to the analysis, the 2024 report again emphasizes the policy of open doors, which remains a fundamental NATO principle. The document specifically states that allies are actively cooperating with 16 partner countries, including Ukraine. At the same time, it is highlighted that to support Ukraine’s aspirations, the alliance has established special structures to develop relations with Ukraine and Georgia; however, this does not imply automatic or premature membership. What is particularly notable is that, compared to previous reports, the 2024 report lacks references to commitments or a definitive timeline for Ukraine’s accession. This may indicate a shift in NATO’s diplomatic approach to expansion or internal uncertainty caused by geopolitical challenges and the role played in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Experts believe that this somewhat bleak document for Kyiv creates a new background in Ukraine’s relations with the Alliance. While Kyiv has long sought full membership, the 2024 report again emphasizes that NATO’s expansion should meet defined standards and that any aspiring member must align with democratic values and contribute to regional security. Against this backdrop, Ukrainian politicians and diplomatic representatives express concern and describe these changes in NATO’s stance as a "certain silence" regarding Ukraine’s prospects. They emphasize that without clear commitments in the document, Ukraine’s aspirations for membership may once again remain at the level of declarations and promises, with no concrete realization in the near term. Thus, the absence of statements regarding Ukraine’s future membership in the 2024 report casts doubt not only on NATO’s future expansion plans but also on the immediacy of this issue in the political agenda. Ukraine remains on NATO’s radar as a strategic partner and an important regional player, but its path to accession to the military-political bloc remains an open question without clear timelines or guarantees.