Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson believes it was a mistake not to admit Ukraine to NATO back in 2008. He said this in an interview with Lb.ua.
“I think the biggest mistake was back in 2008 — when Ukraine was not taken into NATO. Ukraine should have been admitted to NATO. And it should have happened much faster. If Ukraine had been in NATO, Putin would not have launched the invasion in 2014,” Johnson said.
He noted that NATO “provides clarity and simplicity.” According to the former British prime minister, the Alliance means that the territory of a member state is protected by 32 countries under the “umbrella” of the United States — the largest military alliance ever created.
“If you attack that territory, you go to war with all 32 countries, including the United States,” Johnson explained.
He acknowledged that despite NATO membership, some countries have faced hybrid attacks from Russia, but Moscow has not dared to launch a direct attack on any NATO member.
“Show me when, in the last 80 years, a NATO country has been attacked… That’s why I say Ukraine should have been part of NATO. It gives clarity to a border state like Ukraine. The problem is fundamental uncertainty… I consider it a mistake when European countries and the United States say that Ukraine’s NATO membership is no longer under consideration. It is a huge mistake,” Johnson added.