The Western security system is facing unprecedented tension, with NATO's expansion and security guarantees at the center. A shift in US strategy towards NATO, especially the more skeptical stance on Ukraine's accession, has created differences between Washington and its European allies.
The US has launched a new security strategy, proposing to move away from the concept of constant expansion. Most European countries, however, insist that NATO's doors remain open and that candidates, especially Ukraine, should have a clear membership perspective. This divergence in approaches has made a new crisis between the allies almost inevitable.
NATO has grown from 16 to 32 members since the end of the Cold War, highlighting its influence. However, there are growing concerns that further expansion could undermine the alliance's achievements and stability. Originally, expansion relied on the principle that each European nation could choose its own alliances. This process, however, eventually faced opposition from Moscow, particularly after the 2008 summit, when Ukraine and Georgia were promised future membership.
For many countries, NATO membership was less about abstract geopolitics and more about security and securing their statehood. The perspective of joining NATO encouraged reforms and the strengthening of institutions, but indecision and lack of clear guarantees often led to increased internal instability.
Over time, the once-morally justified expansion policy began creating more problems than it solved, as real guarantees for new members often weren't ensured, raising the risk of new conflicts. Changed geopolitical circumstances now require reviewing the expansion approach as the open-door policy may seem shortsighted.
NATO's main problem is the lack of clear limits and conditions for the end of expansion, leaving the alliance facing new security challenges. Meanwhile, Moscow's reaction has shown that the real issue is not security, but control over its neighborhood. For Eastern European countries, NATO membership is a matter of survival. The West’s biggest mistake is to refuse to acknowledge that freedom cannot exist alongside imperial ambitions.
Going forward, NATO needs to build its policy considering new realities, increasing military strength to protect members at risk. The reaction to NATO expansion has revealed Moscow’s true motive: it is not only about security, but about control over neighboring countries.
