Story perspectives

Ukraine's Struggle: NATO's Past Mistakes and Future Hope

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Serhii Plokhy, author, argues NATO's 2008 decision not to grant Ukraine membership left Kyiv exposed to Russia in 2014 and 2022.
The narrative frames Ukraine's political diversity as a strength against Russia's autocracy.
He critiques the Budapest Memorandum for failing to protect Ukraine after it relinquished nuclear arms.
The book concludes Ukraine will prevail, though it may not recover all, signaling a shift in global power away from unipolarity.

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Story summary

Serhii Plokhy, author, argues NATO's 2008 decision not to grant Ukraine membership left Kyiv exposed to Russia in 2014 and 2022.
The narrative frames Ukraine's political diversity as a strength against Russia's autocracy.
He critiques the Budapest Memorandum for failing to protect Ukraine after it relinquished nuclear arms.
The book concludes Ukraine will prevail, though it may not recover all, signaling a shift in global power away from unipolarity.