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Questions about the NATO summit? Ask them for our next episode of ‘This Week in Ukraine’ (Patreon)

Published:
2023-07-11 11:52:15
Imported:
2026-09
Tags:

Content

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

We need your questions for the next episode of “This Week in Ukraine.” The topic this week is the current NATO summit taking place this week in Vilnius and Ukraine’s history with NATO.

To send in your questions, you can leave them in the comments below, message us on Patreon, or email community manager Brooke at brooke@kyivindependent.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Episode 15, “Why culture matters during war” is linked above. The episode is available on YouTube and on listening platforms, with your questions starting at 32:25.

Files

Why culture matters during war | This Week in Ukraine Ep. 15

“This Week in Ukraine” is a video podcast hosted by Kyiv Independent’s reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraine’s most pressing issues. Episode #15 our weekly video podcast “This Week in Ukraine” is dedicated Ukrainian culture, the important role it plays in war, and why it has been a target of Russian dictators for decades. Host Anastasiia Lapatina is joined by the Kyiv Independent's culture reporter Kate Tsurkan. Listen to the audio version of the podcast – http://bit.ly/3M2wtV9 Support the Kyiv Independent by becoming a member: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/ The Kyiv Independent: Twiter – https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kyivindependent Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kyivindepen... Anastasiia Lapatina: Twitter – https://twitter.com/lapatina_ Kate Tsurkan: Twitter – https://twitter.com/TsurkanKate  The episode was edited by Alex Kisly.

Comments

David Farning

Again, not a specific question but a topic for exploration. "'' It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine," the president tweeted. ''' It does a disservice to Ukraine for the media to repeat and amplify that message. It is reasonable for NATO to require anti-corruption reforms before providing membership to a country with a very long and deep history of corruption. Between the incomplete anti-oligarchy reform and limited judicial reform, nothing prevents the oligarchy from re-exerting their control when it is convenient for them. I would strongly encourage the media to focus on: 1. What reforms does NATO require as prerequisites for membership? 2. How can the government, military, and civil society accomplish those reforms quickly? 3. What, specifically (name and shame as necessary), is preventing the the implementation of those reforms? 4. How to communicate progress or lack of progress towards those prerequisites? When thinking and communicating about NATO membership, it is probably more productive to think about receiving NATO membership as a university degree which must be earned, rather than a country club membership which is granted. Reform is VERY, VERY HARD. It is much easier politically and practically for Zelensky to ask for more foreign aid than to push through reform measures at home. The biggest danger with blaming external parties is that it shifts the public attention from reforming internal corrupt actors to blaming external parties. This de-emphasizes the importance of Ukrainians working together to solve their own problems while emphasizing the narrative of victim-hood. Third party aid is crucial to providing Ukraine time, currently measured in multiple years, to defend itself while providing time to implement reform.

Sophie Daoust

That seems a valid point to me, and of course corruption reform is very difficult. In a time of war, it might be even more difficult, because resources are allocated to defence. Also, there is an issue with that of punishing harshly people who have committed corrupted acts during war, especially in the army, because some of those are also warriors, even war heroes. If a commander is arrested, especially one that is liked and respected by his troops… The government can be afraid to prosecute. Corruption in Ukraine is in part a remnant of Russian colonialism. However, if high level civil servants or judges (like in previous episode) are corrupted… it could be a good time? I mean… would it really disunity elites ? I don’t think so (I’m no expert). Of course, when countries send money, they want it to be used for the intended purpous. In any case, I have trouble seeing NATO integrating Ukraine during a war… without declaring war on Russia (even though it would morally be the right thing to do). I know article 5 is not automatic, but it still create fear in western citizens (especially about those nuclear threats that to scare western citizens a lot).

David Farning

After my somewhat cutting take on Ukraine's path to NATO membership, the following might be worth considering. NATO and the EU are alliances of sovereign states. As a result, they rely heavily on consensus and unanimous decisions. This introduces (at least two) weaknesses in dealing with Russia's invasion of Ukraine; Free Riders and Bridge Trolls. Freeridering is the practice of members of a group piggybacking on other members of a group. This has become particularly challenging during the Russian invasion as some countries and their politicians give great speeches about the importance of supporting Ukraine. Sometimes they pressure other countries to be as generous as they are. Then, when the bill comes, they are nowhere to be found. Bridge Trolls are members of a group who know that group decisions require unanimity. They wait for the group to come to a decision, such as providing military aid to Ukraine... then they demand a toll for themselves to give the last supporting vote. An important aspect of the recent NATO summit is emphasizing bilateral agreements. These are agreements between Ukraine and individual countries to provide long-term military support. This becomes particularly valuable when one considers how they cover 90% of aid to Ukraine while circumventing the influence of the Free-riders and Bridge Trolls. Politically, President Zelensky did not get a bottomless pot of gold in Rzeszów. Instead, Ukraine got the foundation for long-term relationships with several major countries. Edit: six more countries have joined the original G7 countries in signing bilateral support agreements. This provides the foundation for military, governmental, and trade relationships with several important economies.

Ray Brown

Another fascinating program, thank you!