«What seemed impossible just recently has now become mainstream in the policies of many countries,» Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The year 2025 has been marked by a shift in allies’ focus from a policy of containment to active support for Ukraine. In parallel with developments on the frontline, parliamentary diplomacy has been evolving, shaping the framework for assistance and cooperation with the Alliance.

Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, outlined the role of the NATO PA and its support for Ukraine.

— What role does the NATO Parliamentary Assembly play today in shaping European policy on the russian-Ukrainian war?

— I would divide the influence of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly into formal and informal. The formal dimension includes resolutions and political statements adopted during its sessions, which later serve as guidelines for NATO member states in their subsequent decision-making.

The informal influence lies in bilateral engagement with our partners and colleagues from the parliaments of NATO member states, as well as in addressing specific, targeted issues. This approach made it possible, for example, to unblock the decision on transferring Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Another recent example is the decision of the Dutch parliament to allocate an additional €2 billion in military assistance to Ukraine next year.

— How influential are the resolutions of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly? 

— This platform has become a starting point for many breakthrough decisions. It was within the resolutions of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly that positions such as allowing Ukraine to strike targets on russian territory or supplying long-range weapons were articulated for the first time.

Over time, these political statements were transformed into concrete decisions at the level of national parliaments and governments. It was also within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly that russia was defined as a threat to European security, and Ukraine as a key element of Europe’s new security architecture. What seemed impossible just recently has now become mainstream in the policies of many countries.

— How is the work of the Ukrainian delegation within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly structured, taking into account the differing positions of member states?

—  Fortunately, Ukraine enjoys broad and stable support within the Assembly. Even those countries that occasionally voice reservations remain in the minority. We maintain a constructive working dialogue with them and seek to persuade. As a result, most decisions and resolutions are adopted either by an absolute majority or almost unanimously.

— Which issues will be critically important for Ukraine on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s agenda in 2026?

— Regardless of how the situation on the battlefield evolves, even after the war ends, the russian federation will not disappear. We will have to live next to such a neighbour.

Therefore, our key task is to ensure that partner countries continue to support Ukraine, strengthening its defence capabilities and readiness to repel new aggression at any moment. Working within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is an important tool for achieving this goal.

—  What decisions or political signals does Ukraine expect from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in the near future?

— We are aware that there is currently no consensus among all NATO member states regarding an invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance. In the near future, such a decision is unlikely to be taken de jure.

At the same time, de facto integration is already underway — through Annual National Programmes, the implementation of NATO standards, and participation in joint projects and initiatives. Our task is to continue this practical integration so that, once political readiness is achieved, de jure accession becomes a logical and well-prepared step.

2025 in Review: Key Decisions of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The year now coming to an end was marked by two key sessions of the Assembly — held in Dayton (United States) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) — during which a number of strategic documents were adopted. These documents serve as political reference points for the national parliaments and governments of Allied countries, shaping clear ‘red lines’ for a future peace settlement.

Spring Declaration No. 497, «Peace Through Strength in Ukraine,» adopted in Dayton, laid the conceptual foundation for a shift from a policy of containment to one of actively strengthening Ukraine. The document explicitly states that a sustainable peace is possible only if Ukraine possesses sufficient military and economic capacity, and that the outcome of the war will have consequences not only for Europe but also for the global balance of power, including China’s strategic calculations. For the first time at this level, the strategic importance of direct Allied investment in Ukraine’s defence industrial base was acknowledged, along with support for multinational assurance forces that could be deployed after the end of active hostilities.

Autumn Resolution No. 502, «Solidarity with Ukraine and the Imperative of a Just Peace» adopted in Ljubljana, pinned principles that until recently had been considered too radical to achieve consensus within the Alliance. It legitimizes Ukraine’s right to strike lawful military targets on russian territory using Western-supplied weapons and reaffirms the irreversibility of Ukraine’s path toward NATO membership. The document also emphasizes the importance of prisoner-of-war exchanges and the return of abducted Ukrainian children, and supports the formation of a “Coalition of the Willing,” led by the United Kingdom and France, to provide security guarantees.

The analytical report by Tamás Harangozó, «The War in Ukraine and Growing Economic Challenges in the Black Sea Region,» shifts the focus from purely military aspects of the war to the Black Sea as a key arena of global competition. The report emphasizes that control over the region directly affects global food and energy security, and that russia’s attempts to turn the Black Sea into an “internal sea” have systemic consequences far beyond the region itself.

The document outlines the scale of ecocide caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, with damages exceeding $8 billion and long-term environmental consequences for the Black Sea basin. It also highlights food blackmail that threatens famine for tens of millions of people worldwide. In addition, the report draws attention to China’s growing role in the region through investments in strategic port infrastructure.

The report by Simona Flavia Malpezzi, «Ensuring a Just and Durable Peace for Ukraine,» sets out the conditions under which peace would not amount to capitulation. It defines clear “red lines” for diplomacy: no legitimization of annexations, Ukraine’s full freedom to choose its security alliances, and the inevitability of accountability for war crimes.

The report highlights the “Steel Porcupine” concept, under which the primary security guarantee lies in building Ukraine’s Armed Forces to such a level of strength that any potential aggressor would be unable to launch a new attack. It also examines the possibility of deploying an international contingent of between 20,000 and 100,000 troops to deter russia, with the United States acting as a strategic “backstop.”

A separate section addresses the gender dimension, focusing on the systematic use of sexual violence as a tool of war and the need for long-term support for survivors.

Taken together, these documents demonstrate a fundamental shift in NATO's approach: Ukraine is no longer seen solely as an object of support, but as a key element of the new European security system. The 2025 Assembly's decisions became not only political signals, but also a practical guideline for the governments of the Alliance countries.

For reference: What is the NATO PA and why is it important?

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is a consultative interparliamentary organisation that is institutionally separate from the Alliance itself. It brings together more than 280 parliamentarians from NATO member countries, as well as delegates from partner countries.

Ukraine is an associate member. Although the Assembly's decisions have no direct legal force, they become a political foundation for governments.

The NATO PA prepares analytical reports and resolutions that shape the strategic agenda for NATO summits.