NATO invitation should be for all of Ukraine: Zelensky explained the nuances with the occupied territories
Kyiv • UNN
The President explained that the invitation should apply to the whole of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. At the same time, the Alliance's action can only extend to the controlled territories with further expansion.
The invitation to NATO should be for the whole of Ukraine, but the Alliance's action may be on the part of the territory controlled by Kyiv with future expansion. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with the Christian media outlet CBN News, UNN reports.
"It is important to do this (inviting Ukraine to NATO - ed.) and it is the first step that gives a clear signal to Putin or any aggressor in the future that Ukraine will be a NATO member," Zelenskyy said.
He noted that Kyiv understands that America and other partners cannot accept Ukraine into NATO while the war is ongoing.
"Ukraine understands and does not want to involve the military of other countries in this war. They say that Ukraine wants to involve NATO. This is not true. That is why we wanted an invitation. We know that we will not be accepted into NATO during the war. The invitation is given to the entire territory of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders. ...there is nothing to talk about, because this is our Constitution, international law. It cannot be violated, so invitations must be extended within internationally recognized borders. And the Alliance's actions can be on the part that Ukraine controls, and then with future expansion," Zelensky said.
Addendum
On November 29, in an interview with Sky News, Zelenskyy saidthat he allows for the possibility of a ceasefire agreement with Russia if the government-controlled territory of Ukraine is brought under the NATO umbrella.
Reuters reported citing a letter from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in which he called on NATO to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance at a meeting next week. The invitation is supposed to be the allies' response to the constant escalation of the war unleashed by Russia.
On December 10, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva reportedthat talks about Ukraine's invitation to NATO at this stage would continue with absolutely all partners, all 32 members of the Alliance.
