US should grant Ukraine Major Non-NATO Allied status – Michael Carpenter

Michael Carpenter, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia wrote this in the article released on the Defense One portal.

"[US Secretary of Defense James] Mattis should also declare that the U.S. is granting Ukraine ‘Major Non-NATO Allied’ status, which is a largely symbolic move, but one that would formally prioritize security assistance and other support to Ukraine," Carpenter writes.

In his opinion, this move should in no way hinder possible Ukraine’s full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "Any public rollout of Major Non-NATO Allied status would, however, have to state explicitly that the conferral of this status in no way prejudices Ukraine’s current or future aspirations for NATO membership," the expert says.

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