On the battlefields of Ukraine, a new type of warfare has been born, and it is Ukrainian troops – not those of Russia – who have devised new and often ingenious tactics. Whereas almost all NATO members have scant experience with large-scale warfare in the twenty-first century, Ukraine’s military – from newly enlisted soldiers to general staff – understands that technology and individual decision-making, down to the platoon level, will be the key to military success in the decades ahead. Ours is the new model army that Europeans will want to emulate in terms of training, tactics, and the responsibility given to every soldier.

The fact is that Ukraine’s military is the best fighting force, by far, that one will be able to find in Europe for the foreseeable future. And NATO can be certain that it will always be kept at peak readiness. We paid a heavy price for being unprepared for war in 2014, when Russia first invaded our territory and seized Crimea. That will not happen again. We will be an ally ready and able to defend every inch of NATO territory from the very first day that we join.

That solemn commitment to defend our allies is one that I am certain Ukraine will uphold. NATO members should recall that, when the war began, we were “alone” in the same way that Winston Churchill saw the United Kingdom as alone in the spring of 1940. But we did not hesitate to stand and fight. Our unity, tenacity, and steadfastness in those dark hours, days, and weeks should command the respect of all NATO members. Ours is a nation that will fight for liberty no matter the odds.

As to the nuclear threat, it is precisely Ukraine’s status as a non-NATO member that has enabled the Kremlin’s nuclear saber-rattling. No nuclear threats had been heard in Europe for decades before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But, because Ukraine is not a NATO member, Russia’s leadership has repeatedly threatened to deploy tactical nuclear weapons during the current conflict.

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