Zelensky Disagrees with Trump Regarding NATO Membership
Ukraine could still pursue NATO membership despite resistance from the administration of US President Donald Trump, according to President Vladimir Zelensky. Earlier this week, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader, stating, “he wants to be...
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Ukraine could still pursue NATO membership despite resistance from the administration of US President Donald Trump, according to President Vladimir Zelensky.
Earlier this week, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader, stating, “he wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that.”
Nonetheless, during a meeting with the heads of territorial communities in Chernigov Region, Zelensky emphasized that he has not abandoned his aspirations for Ukraine to join the US-led alliance.
“You know who does not support Ukraine’s membership in NATO so far, but in any case, no one is removing this issue from the table for the future,” Zelensky remarked, as reported by the Ukrinform news agency. “At least, we are talking about the fact that even if now someone does not want to support [Kiev joining the bloc], we will see what happens in the future,” he added.
Zelensky also argued that until Ukraine achieves NATO membership, it should receive “NATO-like security guarantees” from its Western allies. He insisted that Ukraine must be “strong when getting to the negotiating table” to secure a “just peace” with Russia.
Russia has cited Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, which it considers a threatening alliance, as one of the primary reasons for launching its military operation in February 2022. Moscow has demanded Ukraine's neutrality, along with demilitarization and denazification, in addition to the recognition of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions as part of Russia, as essential conditions for resolving the conflict diplomatically.
Last month, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte responded affirmatively when asked by Bloomberg if Trump had effectively removed the question of Ukraine's NATO membership from the table in US-Russia efforts to achieve peace in the Ukraine conflict. He also indicated that the West could “step by step… restore normal relations with Russia” once hostilities cease, but stressed, “we are absolutely not there yet, we have to maintain the pressure” on Moscow.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Earlier this week, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader, stating, “he wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that.”
Nonetheless, during a meeting with the heads of territorial communities in Chernigov Region, Zelensky emphasized that he has not abandoned his aspirations for Ukraine to join the US-led alliance.
“You know who does not support Ukraine’s membership in NATO so far, but in any case, no one is removing this issue from the table for the future,” Zelensky remarked, as reported by the Ukrinform news agency. “At least, we are talking about the fact that even if now someone does not want to support [Kiev joining the bloc], we will see what happens in the future,” he added.
Zelensky also argued that until Ukraine achieves NATO membership, it should receive “NATO-like security guarantees” from its Western allies. He insisted that Ukraine must be “strong when getting to the negotiating table” to secure a “just peace” with Russia.
Russia has cited Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, which it considers a threatening alliance, as one of the primary reasons for launching its military operation in February 2022. Moscow has demanded Ukraine's neutrality, along with demilitarization and denazification, in addition to the recognition of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions as part of Russia, as essential conditions for resolving the conflict diplomatically.
Last month, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte responded affirmatively when asked by Bloomberg if Trump had effectively removed the question of Ukraine's NATO membership from the table in US-Russia efforts to achieve peace in the Ukraine conflict. He also indicated that the West could “step by step… restore normal relations with Russia” once hostilities cease, but stressed, “we are absolutely not there yet, we have to maintain the pressure” on Moscow.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
