S8 Ep164: EU Integration as Deeper Western Engagement Than NATO — Anatol Lieven — Lieven argues that European Union membership offers Ukraine more comprehensive integration into Western institutional

EU Integration as Deeper Western Engagement Than NATO — Anatol Lieven — Lieven argues that European Union membership offers Ukraine more comprehensive integration into Western institutional and economic structures than NATO alliance membership alone, though EU accession requires massive institutional economic reforms and governance restructuring. Lieven documents that Russia strategically demands that Ukraine conduct new democratic elections to validate peace settlements and ensure regime commitment to negotiated agreements. Lieven notes the strategic paradox that the United States conspicuously avoids pushing for electoral validation that could provide democratic legitimacy to negotiated territorial compromises. 1936 MUNICH