For Ukraine, this "NATO entrance exam" is like taking a college entrance examination without a review syllabus (defeating Russia), but the American "head teacher" said with a smile: "First take the test with a full score, and then give the admission ticket." "Ukrainian inner OS: "Isn't this harder than going to the moon?" I'm fighting against a 'fighting nation' with the world's second-largest nuclear arsenal! ”
The dream bubble is thin, and the economic refugees are suffering
The NATO "protective shield" that Ukraine wants now looks more like a "dream bubble". According to statistics, since the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine has lost almost 30% of its total economy, and the number of refugees exceeds 10 million, which is simply "gambling with the future of the entire country". However, apart from verbal checks and batches of "express" weapons, the United States does not seem to have a substantive plan to "fight side by side."
If, according to the logic of the United States, Ukraine really wants to stage a modern version of "David and Goliath", then the plot development should be like this: Ukraine must not only defeat the strong with the weak, but also politely refuse the olive branch thrown by NATO after the victory, and instead announce to the world: "Excuse me, now it is your turn to apply to join the 'Security Union of Ukraine'!" This picture, thinking about it, is simply an international version of "The Clown is Myself".
Survival Fight Suppression Game? The dangerous chess is in the cracks
On the other hand, NATO members will probably collectively suffer from "choice difficulties": should they be glad that there is one less potential "oil bottle", or should they worry about one more "difficult to mess with" new neighbor? After all, a Ukraine that can single-handedly challenge Russia without falling behind will have its military strength and strategic value incomparable, and NATO's "small calculations" may have to be re-manipulated.
This drama of "joining NATO" is not so much a battle for survival for Ukraine as a "game of thrones" under the game of great powers. If Ukraine really wants to counterattack, it may have to learn to dance a "waltz" in the "US-Russia crack", instead of blindly dancing to the beat, otherwise, it may end up just making wedding clothes for others and ending up with a "scarred and uncared for" ending. In the big arena of international politics, sometimes, "self-reliance and abundant food and clothing" is the last word.