Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has clearly outlined the country's position on NATO membership, stating that Ukraine seeks to receive an invitation to the Alliance within its internationally recognized borders. He made this known to journalists during a conversation, emphasizing that Kyiv is not ready to discuss possible NATO membership in exchange for concessions related to occupied territories.
"We are not discussing this. But I believe that these statements in the media are not accidental. Apparently, some partners may have such thoughts. Therefore, they do not communicate this issue with me directly, but through the media, of course, they check its degree. I think it all depends on Ukrainian society," the president said.
He emphasized that he wanted to receive the invitation during the war, "because it is given to a country within internationally recognized borders," and for him, it was "a matter of principle" to receive the invitation before the war ended.
At the same time, Zelensky said that "no matter what path we take," legally "no one will recognize the occupied territories as the territories of other states." He added that "there may be different formats" in terms of the conditions and duration of accession.
