The attention of NATO to the interests of countries like Ukraine and Georgia distracts Alliance from carrying out the necessary reforms, writes in the publication for Emma Ashford.

U.S. policy is often put Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova the same attention as a full-fledged NATO allies, making these countries to " the transatlantic community ", says the Creator. So, at the recent hearings in the U.S. Congress, the commander in chief of allied forces in the European Union Philip Breedlove used the term "allies and partners" and the greater part of his speech was devoted partner countries.

The impression that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have the opportunity soon to join NATO, although in light of recent events, the probability of this was minimal, says the Creator of the article. Anyhow Washington continues to make statements, where these countries are almost treated as full-fledged members of NATO.

So Special attention to countries that are not members of NATO, is damaging to the Alliance, says Ashford: it undermines the faith of the allies in the principles of the Commonwealth and distracts from reforms to strengthen it. According to the remark of the author, one must have something to do with the situation, when most of the allies in the European Union too little spending on defense and a significant part of the cost falls on the shoulders of the United States.

"NATO also suffers from a lack of unified vision - this problem has been exacerbated by ill-conceived expansion of NATO in the last decade, adds Ashford.- Close attention to countries that are not members of the Commonwealth, distracts the attention from these issues and complicates their decision ".

"instead of having to deal with the problems of other countries, the leaders of the United States must not be less closely cooperating with allies in NATO to solve the existing problems," said the Creator of the article.

sections: Politics