President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine wants security guarantees, even though it has not yet joined NATO.
In an interview with Ukrainian TV channel on March 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO and becoming a member of the bloc.
"The answer is simple. We understand everything. They don't accept us (to NATO) because they're afraid of Russia. That's all. We should be calm and say, 'Okay, we want to have these things. other security guarantees," Zelensky said.
"Some NATO member states want to be the guarantor of security, but unfortunately, they can't guarantee 100% of our ability to join the alliance. But they are ready to do everything the alliance can. would do if we were a member of NATO. I think it's a normal compromise," Zelensky added.
Zelensky also said that any compromises with Russia, including security guarantees, should be put to a nationwide referendum. According to Zelensky, Ukraine can agree to give up its plan to join NATO, but still want to receive security guarantees from NATO member states.
In an interview with US media on March 20, Zelensky said that if Ukraine had been admitted to NATO, the current conflict with Russia would not have happened.
"If we were members of NATO, the war would not have broken out. I want security commitments for my country, my people. If NATO members are willing to see us in the alliance. , do it immediately," Zelensky stressed.
The Ukrainian leader said he has only one wish that NATO "either frankly admits Ukraine to NATO in a year, two years or five years, or refuses".
NATO has so far shown no sign of admitting Ukraine soon, although the country has been pursuing its goal of joining the alliance for the past 14 years. Earlier, the Ukrainian president said he was "no longer interested" in joining NATO after realizing that NATO was "not ready to join Ukraine". "This alliance is afraid of contradictions, afraid of confrontation with Russia," Zelensky said.
NATO member countries are still providing weapons to Ukraine, but have refused to send troops, warplanes or create a no-fly zone in Ukraine for fear of direct conflict with Russia. Moscow considers Ukraine's membership of NATO as a "red line", threatening Russia's security.
In a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined demands to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine and end the more than three-week conflict. The first request made by President Putin was that Ukraine must maintain neutrality and not apply to join NATO. In addition, President Putin also wants Ukraine to go through a disarmament process to ensure it does not pose a threat to Russia.
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