Russian Analyst Dismisses US-EU-Ukraine Military Alliance as 'Ambitious and Slightly Absurd Fantasy'
MGIMO expert questions necessity of new military structure when NATO and EU's CSDP already exist
Quick Look
A Russian analyst from MGIMO's Institute of International Studies has expressed strong skepticism about the likelihood of a new military alliance comprising the US, EU, and Ukraine, calling it 'just another ambitious and slightly absurd fantasy.' Maxim Kucherov questioned why Ukraine cannot be integrated into existing frameworks like NATO or the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy, warning that such an alliance would likely be viewed unfavorably by Russia and could hinder peace efforts.
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Why It Matters
Russia has consistently opposed Ukraine's integration with Western military structures, citing its own security concerns. Ukraine's potential NATO membership has been a major point of tension between Russia and the West since the Cold War era. The EU's Common Security and Defense Policy has developed gradually over three decades as a complement to NATO.
MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. An analyst at MGIMO's Institute of International Studies has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a new military alliance comprising the US, the European Union, and Ukraine. In his opinion column for TASS Maxim Kucherov dismissed the idea as largely theoretical and unlikely to materialize, describing it as "just another ambitious and slightly absurd fantasy" that has frequently been floated in recent White House discussions. Kucherov recalled that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during his visit to China, pointed out that the US and Europe are promoting this concept, with Ukraine potentially serving as a leading member. However, the analyst emphasized that the numerous uncertainties and "buts" surrounding the initiative suggest it remains far from implementation. He explained that for the US, such an alliance might serve as a way to "straddle several chairs," but warned of the long-term institutional costs – namely, the duplication and overlap of existing alliances. Currently, Europe is home to two major military structures: NATO, which includes the US, Canada, and Turkey, and the European Union's own military dimension, the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), which has been gradually developing over the past three decades. Kucherov questioned the necessity of creating yet another military organization, asking why Ukraine cannot be integrated into existing frameworks. He pointed out that the US already bears significant obligations within NATO but has limited influence within the EU's evolving security policies. Finally, he noted that such an alliance would likely be viewed unfavorably by Russia, given Moscow's stance on Ukraine's non-aligned status, and warned that it could hinder efforts toward peace in the region.
Open Questions
- Would Ukraine actually join such an alliance?
- What would be the specific military commitments?
- How would this affect existing NATO obligations?
