The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has highlighted Ukraine’s military and political status. Ukraine’s military is divided into Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, and the Ukrainian Airmobile Forces. The Airmobile Forces are the equivalent of Ukraine’s special forces units. Ukraine’s military was formed after Ukraine withdrew from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991. You can learn more about Ukraine’s Armed Forces here.
Does US Military Have Bases in Ukraine?
The United States does not currently have any military installations in Ukraine. While the US maintains friendly and strategic relations with Ukrain, they do not currently have a permanent contingent of military members stationed in Ukraine.
However, the United States has military units stationed in nearby countries, including several NATO countries close to Ukraine. See the NATO section on this page for more information about NATO membership.
Is Ukraine Part of the European Union?
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 countries. Membership in the EU allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member nations.
In February 2022, Ukraine applied to become a member of the EU but has not yet been admitted to the union.
EU Member Nations
Here are current European Union members, listed in alphabetical order:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union at the end of 31 January 2020 in what is now commonly referred to as Brexit.
How Do Countries Join the EU?
Membership in the European Union requires Candidate Countries to meet certain criteria, including having a free-market economy, a stable democracy, accepting all EU legislation, and accepting the euro. Member nations must make changes to their national laws to comply with accepting EU legislation.
Countries can then submit an application to the European Council. The European Commission then assesses the candidate state’s ability to meet those criteria on a sustained basis. Then negotiations to join the EU may commence. Negotiations can often be complex and time-consuming.
Countries currently negotiating entry into the EU include Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey.
Potential Candidates to the European Union are countries that do not yet meet membership criteria but have expressed interest in joining the EU. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are two countries currently classified as Potential Candidates.
How Can Ukraine Join the EU?
As of March 2022, Ukraine has applied to become an EU member, but they have not yet been listed on the EU website as a Candidate Country or a Potential Candidate country.
Should this change, Ukraine will still need to change national laws to comply with European Union laws and meet other criteria, including adopting the euro, maintaining democracy and a free-market economy, and allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
At that point, they may be added as a Candidate Country and can begin negotiations to join the EU.
The outcome of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine will play heavily into Ukraine’s ability to meet these criteria.
Is Ukraine Part of NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an alliance that consists of 30 independent member countries. NATO was founded after World War II to serve as a
As of 2022, there are 30 NATO members, two in North America, and 28 in Europe. Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty dictates the process of joining NATO. NATO also has a Membership Action Plan to help aspiring member nations prepare for membership and meet key requirements.
Ukraine is not currently a NATO member. However, Ukraine is recognized by NATO as an aspiring member, along with Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ukraine also has a “Distinctive Partnership” with NATO and has been an active participant in Partnership for Peace exercises and in peacekeeping in the Balkans.
Wikipedia has an informative history of Ukraine-NATO relations.
NATO Member Countries
The following map illustrates the current NATO countries.
NATO Member Countries (Year Joined)
- Albania (2009)
- Belgium (1949)
- Bulgaria (2004)
- Canada (1949)
- Croatia (2009)
- Czech Republic (1999)
- Denmark (1949)
- Estonia (2004)
- France (1949)
- Germany (1955)
- Greece (1952)
- Hungary (1999)
- Iceland (1949)
- Italy (1949)
- Latvia (2004)
- Lithuania (2004)
- Luxembourg (1949)
- Montenegro (2017)
- Netherlands (1949)
- North Macedonia (2020)
- Norway (1949)
- Poland (1999)
- Portugal (1949)
- Romania (2004)
- Slovakia (2004)
- Slovenia (2004)
- Spain (1982)
- Turkey (1952)
- United Kingdom (1949)
- United States (1949)
Which NATO Countries Border Ukraine?
According to Wikipedia, “Ukraine has shared borders with four EU member states—Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania—that stretch about 2,235 kilometers (1,389 mi) in total, with 33 border crossings by road, rail, ferry, and walking and bicycle path.”
The United States has extended its alliance with Poland in recent years. The US currently has military members stationed in Poland and rotates troops throughout the country on military exercises several times per year.
How Would NATO Membership Impact the Russian Invasion of Ukraine?
NATO members are bound by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to defend each other in a time of war or when one member is attacked. In essence, any NATO member nation will view an attack on another NATO member nation as an attack against their country.
If Ukraine were a NATO member, then each of the 30 member states would be required by the treaty to help defend Ukraine against any foreign invaders or against further hostile acts.
