HOW COULD THE UKRAINE WAR TRIGGER ARTICLE 5?
Since Ukraine just isn’t a part of NATO, Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 didn’t set off Article 5, although the US and different member states rushed to supply army and diplomatic help to Kyiv.
Nevertheless, consultants have lengthy warned of the potential for a spillover to neighbouring international locations on NATO’s jap flank that might drive the alliance to reply militarily.
Such motion by Russia, both intentional or unintended, has raised the danger of widening the struggle by drawing different international locations straight into the battle.
IS INVOKING ARTICLE 5 AUTOMATIC?
No. Following an assault on a member state, the others come collectively to find out whether or not they comply with regard it as an Article 5 state of affairs.
There isn’t any time restrict on how lengthy such consultations might take, and consultants say the language is versatile sufficient to permit every member to resolve how far to go in responding to armed aggression towards one other.
Article 5 has been activated as soon as earlier than – on behalf of the US in response to the Sep 11, 2001, hijacked aircraft assaults on New York and Washington.
