African Journal of
Political Science and International Relations

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pol. Sci. Int. Relat.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0832
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPSIR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 411

Article in Press

NATO’s Strategy and Its Involvement in the Russian-Ukraine Crisis: A Reflective Analysis

Omiunu Funmilayo, Okafor,Celestine Ogechukwu, Ngoka Ruth Obioma

  •  Received: 10 November 2023
  •  Accepted: 20 December 2023
Sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states are foundational stones of the Westphalian system. Since the collapse of the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has been a sovereign country seeking for a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. Russia has ardently opposed this position, arguing that Ukraine's admission would automatically mean the expansion of NATO to its borders, emphasizing that she cannot allow a visible threat of several European nations with military might to its doorstep. This paper assesses the objectives of NATO's interest in the ongoing Russian-Ukraine crisis. A case study research design was utilized, primary and secondary data through documentary sources were adopted, and the propositions of the Games theory were used for our theoretical direction. The findings show that NATO aims to stop Russian expansion in Europe and, hence, its involvement. We recommend a diplomatic solution and assurance that Russia and Ukraine could come to a unifying ground to settle their differences.

Keywords: NATO, Russia, Ukraine, Crisis, Sovereignty