Lithuania and Poland Seek Closer Military Ties With Ukraine

Poland and Lithuania are working with Ukraine to establish stronger trilateral military ties after the recent political transition in Kiev. Knowing that NATO membership for Ukraine is unlikely because of resistance from other European countries and Russia, Warsaw and Vilnius — two of Europe's strongest advocates for closer relations with Kiev — hope to use the trilateral partnership to strengthen the Ukrainian military's Western orientation and build a closer alliance with Kiev. The Ukrainian political crisis and tensions with Russia mean Kiev is more willing than it has been in the past to forge such ties, but persistent political instability and Kiev's constant balancing act between the West and Russia call into question the potential strengthening of military ties between Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine.