Zelensky sees Russia's demand on Ukraine's refusal to join NATO as strange

He stated this in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the translation of which was published on the website of the head of state, Ukrinform reports.

"Our state has given up its share of the Soviet nuclear arsenal - the third largest in the world - and in return has received assurances, including from Russia, that our borders and our security will be respected. All this did not happen. So it is strange to hear the Russian side asking for any guarantees when so many promises have already been broken by the Russian side itself," Zelensky said when asked about Ukraine's possible refusal to join NATO in exchange for a guaranteed withdrawal of Russian troops from the border.

Russia is demanding that NATO formally withdraw its promise on Ukraine's and Georgia's possible accession to the alliance, which was made at the Bucharest summit in 2008.

Earlier, Russian President Putin called Ukraine's accession to NATO "unacceptable."

U.S. President Joe Biden in his video call with Putin rejected Russia's demand for guarantees against Ukraine's accession to NATO.

NATO also said that Russia does not have the right to decide on Ukraine's membership of the military alliance.

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