KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine's membership of NATO is “feasible” but Kiev will have to fight to convince allies to make it a reality, President Volodymyr Zelensky told Ukrainian diplomats in a speech on Sunday.
Ukraine has repeatedly urged NATO to invite Kiev to become a member. The Western military alliance has said Ukraine will one day join its ranks, but has not set a date or issued an invitation.
Moscow has cited the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO as one of the key justifications for its 2022 invasion. Kiev says membership in the Western alliance's mutual defense pact, or an equivalent form of security guarantee, would be crucial to any peace plan to ensure that Russia does not attack again.
Trusted news and daily treats, straight to your inbox
See for yourself: The Yodel is the source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
“We all understand that Ukraine's invitation to NATO and membership of the alliance can only be a political decision,” Zelensky told diplomats at a meeting in Kiev. “An alliance for Ukraine is feasible, but only feasible if we fight for this decision at all necessary levels.”
Zelenskiy said allies needed to know what Ukraine can bring to NATO and how its membership in the alliance would stabilize global relations.
Last week, Zelenskiy urged European countries to provide guarantees to protect Ukraine after the war with Russia ends, saying Ukraine would ultimately need more protection through alliance membership.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Peter Graff)
