- December 5, 2024
- 12:23 am
- Ukraine
On December 5, 1994, Ukraine signed Memorandum of Security Guaranteesknown as Budapest Memorandum. Together with Ukraine, the document was signed by the United States, Great Britain and Russia. Subsequently, France and China joined the memorandum, but with reservations.
Main obligations of the guarantor states:
- Respect the independence, sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine.
- Refrain from the threat or use of force.
- Provide support within the UN in the event of aggression against Ukraine.
- Refrain from economic pressure.
- Conduct consultations in case of violation of obligations.
At the time of signing, Ukraine abandoned the world's third largest nuclear arsenal. The move was seen as an example for other countries such as Belarus and Kazakhstan, which have also signed similar agreements.
The failure of the memorandum and its consequences
Actual loss of security guarantees:
In 2014, Russia, one of the guarantors, annexed Crimea and initiated the conflict in Donbass. These actions fundamentally violated the provisions of the memorandum.
2022: Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Neither the US nor the UK took concrete action to prevent escalation, further highlighting the memorandum's weakness.
“Russia’s violation of the memorandum has created a dangerous precedent, undermining confidence in nuclear disarmament,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Key lessons from failure:
- The lack of mandatory implementation mechanisms led to the memorandum being ignored.
- Insufficient support for Ukraine from Western countries in the 1990s worsened the situation.
- A precedent for other countries: Iran, North Korea and other states view nuclear weapons as a necessary defense tool.
The Budapest Memorandum through the eyes of Ukraine
On the 30th anniversary of the memorandum The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published a statementnaming the document “a monument to short-sightedness of strategic decisions”.
Key conclusions from Ukraine:
- The memorandum failed to prevent Russian aggression.
- Full NATO membership is the only guarantee of security.
- Any attempts to replace NATO with surrogates or alternatives are unacceptable.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes:
“The development of security architecture in Europe at the expense of Ukraine’s interests is doomed to failure.”
How did the memorandum affect global security?
Russia's violation of the memorandum has led to an increase in global threats.
Geopolitical implications:
- Euro-Atlantic region: increased instability.
- Middle East and Asia: growing interest in nuclear weapons.
- Israel: The memorandum's lessons are relevant to national security strategy.
Table: comparison of consequences
| Consequence | Example |
|---|---|
| Loss of confidence in nuclear disarmament | The situation with Iran and North Korea |
| Escalation of regional conflicts | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Growing influence of major powers | China's actions in Asia |
Importance of events for Israel
Israel, as a state facing constant security challenges, can learn from the Budapest Memorandum. As noted NAnews – Israel Newsstrong alliances and clear guarantees are vital for survival on the international stage.
Ukraine and NATO: the way forward
On December 5, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine once again emphasized:
“NATO membership is not just a goal, it is a necessity.”
Ukraine sees NATO not only as a guarantor of security, but also as a way to restore trust in international law. Western countries, especially the US and UK, are being asked to correct the mistake made in the 1990s.
Conclusion: global conclusions
The 30th anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum is not only a historical date. It's a reminder of how security compromises can lead to global threats.
Integration into NATO is becoming key for Ukraine. For the world, there is a need to reconsider approaches to nuclear disarmament and security guarantees.
As the site notes NAnews – Israel Newsstrong international alliances and strategic vision remain the main tools to counter threats.
Bottom line: the world must learn from mistakes to prevent them from happening again in the future.
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