Security is the foundation of everything. Security guarantees are essential for the economic development of a country, providing investors with confidence that their investments will succeed. Ukraine's accession to NATO will be a catalyst for the Ukrainian economic miracle and, along with it, the revival of the entire Eastern European region's economy.
Ukraine has tremendous potential to break into the top ranks of European economies. Everything is in place there, including logistical capabilities, resources, and most importantly, human potential. The main obstacle currently is Russian aggression. Russia, realizing that it is not possible to take over the entire country, has shifted to a tactic of inflicting maximum damage on the Ukrainian economy, attempting to "stiffen" the country and deprive it of development opportunities. The Kremlin is deliberately doing this, targeting, among other things, the European economy.
The only truly effective deterrent against further Russian "attacks" will be Ukraine's Atlantic integration. None of the previous formats of Ukraine's interaction with NATO have been a barrier to Russian aggression. Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and, consequently, Article 5 of NATO's statute will pose an obstacle to an aggressive yet cowardly Russia that stands no chance against the unity of Europe's strongest armies.
After the war, Ukraine will enter the main stage of reconstruction - infrastructure rebuilding. The new Marshall Plan presented in Lugano and London will not be possible without fundamental security guarantees for Ukraine, as post-war, humiliated, and vengeful Russia will also remain a source of threat. Ukraine should receive security guarantees before the end of the war, allowing it to immediately engage in reconstruction.
After the infrastructure is rebuilt, Ukraine will become not only one of the largest business centers in Europe but also a reliable energy supplier. The Ukrainian energy system relies heavily on nuclear energy, which is considered environmentally neutral and highly efficient in terms of carbon emissions. After the shutdown of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine can export green electricity to neighboring countries. For this reason, Ukraine is an excellent location for opening energy-intensive industries. For example, international corporations that have left the Russian market can resume production in Ukraine.
Other sectors are equally promising for investment. The leading sectors include the agro-industrial complex, metallurgy, and the IT industry. However, there are many investment opportunities in Ukraine, but they all remain uncertain until Ukraine is protected from Russian aggression.
The direct impact of Ukraine's accession to NATO on European defense capabilities cannot be overstated. Investing in Ukraine's defense is a direct investment in maintaining security in Europe. As demonstrated by the Russian war against Ukraine, the aggressor will stop at nothing to achieve its goals - Russian occupiers will destroy everything in their path: homes, infrastructure, transportation arteries. Preventing Russian aggression would cost thousands of times less than fighting it and dealing with its consequences. Consequently, this would help protect the European economy from the catastrophe caused by a potential war.
Therefore, Ukraine's Atlantic integration will not only strengthen the Eastern European security flank but also have a positive impact on the region's economy by attracting investments to the real sector of the new member state. In turn, Ukraine, with sustainable prospects for economic growth and NATO membership, would become an undeniable target for a weakened Russia.
Indecision during the Vilnius Summit in 2023 may come at a high cost for both NATO and the EU, both figuratively and literally. Ukraine, as part of the Alliance, would not only help effectively defend against future Russian threats but also reduce the costs for partners associated with reconstruction after the ongoing war.
Source: polskienowiny.pl
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