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President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that some European countries oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO in favor of Russia, although the security of Ukrainians depends on this. Zelensky said this during a conversation with media representatives in Mariupol, Donetsk region, President’s Office reported.
“The NATO issue is one of the reasons for putting pressure on Ukraine. The main issue is Ukraine’s independence and its independent choice in all matters, and Ukraine has been fighting for its right to do so for many years,” he noted.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine has chosen NATO membership for its own security, but the distance to the Alliance for the country is not reduced “because of opposition from Russia and some Allies members, which does not want Ukraine to be a member of NATO.”
Read also: 140,000 Russian troops amassed at Ukraine’s borders, no signs of stand-down, – latest data from Kyiv
Zelensky has added Russia is now using the NATO issue as an excuse for why its troops are standing on Ukraine’s borders, and some European countries are “playing tricks on them.”
“After all, our territories have been occupied, the army is on our borders,” the Ukrainian leader stressed.
The President noted that Ukraine’s course towards NATO is enshrined in its Constitution – and it is the people’s choice, “however, Ukrainian people cannot choose the day of joining the Alliance, it depends not only on us; 30 countries must unanimously agree on this decision.”
Zelensky added that the possibility of putting NATO to a referendum is not being considered yet.
Read also: 60% of Europeans believe NATO should come to Ukraine’s defence if Russia invades, – poll
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed Ukraine’s right to join NATO as outlined at the Bucharest summit in 2008. He stated this during his press conference on February 15, when answering journalists’ questions.
“The Bucharest decision stands. Nato strongly believes that all nations have the right to choose their own path,” Stoltenberg assured.
Three out of fifteen former Soviet republics have become members of NATO. Ukraine has close relations with the Alliance, and since 2014, its cooperation with the body has enchased. The Kremlin expected to demand a guarantee that NATO won’t expand east, so Ukraine and Georgia would not join the Alliance. However, Biden’s administration states that NATO adheres to the open doors policy.
