Beyond NATO: What Real Security Guarantees for Ukraine Should Look Like
As Ukraine continues to fight for its survival, symbolic promises and vague assurances no longer meet the country’s security needs. The Budapest Memorandum—once regarded as the cornerstone of Ukraine’s security architecture—collapsed in the face of real aggression. What Ukraine needs now are concrete, measurable guarantees rooted in strength, not sentiment.
Bohdan Popov, Head of Digital at the United Ukraine Think Tank and a communications specialist, outlines a new security paradigm in his recent article for The Gaze.
According to Popov, Ukraine must pivot from abstract diplomacy to a three-pillar model: permanent allied military presence, domestic defense-tech development, and a next-generation army.
“Security is not a matter of mercy. It is a function of strength, competence, and trust. And Ukraine already has all the prerequisites to become a regional leader in this new generation security architecture,” Popov states.
Allied Military Presence: A Signal to Moscow
Citing historic precedents from South Korea to the Baltics, Popov advocates for the permanent deployment of allied forces on Ukrainian soil as a real deterrent—not just symbolic support.
“The presence of partner troops creates not only a military advantage, but also a political burden of responsibility,” he writes.
Joint command centers, missile defense systems, and rapid response forces could be part of this framework, with the UK, Poland, France, and Scandinavia identified as key potential partners.
Building a Defense-Tech Powerhouse
Popov argues that no security pact will be sustainable without a robust Ukrainian defense industry. He urges systemic cooperation with Western arms producers like BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, and Baykar through joint ventures and localized manufacturing.
“Foreign investment in this sector is not just about business—it is primarily a long-term bet on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” Popov notes.
A Digitized, High-Tech Military
The third and perhaps most transformational element of Popov’s vision is the creation of a new generation army—compact, tech-savvy, and autonomous. This future force would rely on long-range artillery, AI, reconnaissance drones, anti-drone systems, and cyber capabilities.
“Ukrainian forces must be digitized to a level that enables them to destroy an enemy column before it even crosses the state border,” Popov asserts.
His proposal emphasizes NATO interoperability, independent logistics, and asymmetrical tactics to ensure Ukraine remains not just defended, but dominant.
As Ukraine moves beyond illusions of guaranteed peace, Popov’s blueprint offers a roadmap for securing the country’s future—not through paper promises, but through shared commitment, innovation, and strength.
Read the full article by Bohdan Popov on The Gaze: If not NATO, What will be Effective Security Guarantees for Ukraine, and Who Can Provide Them?