Ending its status as a nonaligned nation, Ukraine rekindled aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a move that drew a quick rebuke from Moscow. Though largely symbolic, Tuesday’s move highlights the depths of differences between Kiev and Moscow, which has long thought of Ukraine as its satellite and buffer against the West, and has accused the West of bringing hostile forces to its borders. Ukraine had pursued NATO membership when a pro-Western government was elected 10 years ago, but declared itself as nonaligned under the recently ousted pro-Russia president, Viktor Yanukovych, after he was elected in 2010. Ukraine’s chances of joining NATO anytime soon are practically nil, however, as members in Europe especially have little stomach for a confrontation with Russia. On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned the move, which he said […]