Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine must join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato).
In a statement on Monday, as Ukraine marks three years since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Zelensky said that if his country does not join the alliance, then Ukraine will have to create NATO within Ukraine.
The full-scale invasion started on February 24, 2022.
The Ukrainian President said this is because NATO is the only cost-effective option to prevent another war.
He explained that creating NATO within Ukraine would mean having a strong army that can stand any aggression, financing it and producing enough weapons.
He added that it will also involve discussions with partner states on how much involvement they would have in efforts to stop Russia from another war.
“NATO is the most cost-effective option for preventing another war. It is the simplest and most logical solution. If Ukraine does not join NATO, we will have to create NATO within Ukraine, which means maintaining an army strong enough to repel aggression, financing it, producing and storing enough of our own weapons, and negotiating with our partners about their participation to deter Russia from starting another war.
“That’s why we are talking about a comprehensive system of security guarantees—military, economic, and political. We need to weigh everything—what is cheaper, what is more realistic, and what can be done faster. I am grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine in our work toward real security,” Zelensky said on Sunday.
He added:
“If it means peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready… I can exchange this for NATO membership if that condition is there."
This followed calls by the new US administration to have Kyiv hold elections despite being under martial law.
Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member, fearing it would bring Nato forces too close to its borders.
However, in 2008, the alliance said that Ukraine could eventually join.
After Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for this process to be fast-tracked.
Former Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine could join "in the long term" but not until after the war ends.
Nato was formed in Washington DC in 1949 by 12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US.
Its primary purpose was to block expansion in Europe by the former Soviet Union.
Members agree that if one of them is attacked, the others should help defend it.
Nato currently has 32 members across Europe and North America.
