Zelensky: NATO membership is a matter of future, not present

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during his speech in the Verkhovna Rada, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.

“The first point is an invitation to NATO. We are a democratic nation that has proven capable of defending the Euro-Atlantic region and our shared way of life – of other democratic nations. For decades, Russia has exploited geopolitical uncertainty in Europe, specifically the fact that Ukraine is not a NATO member. And this is what tempted Russia to encroach on our security. And now, the fact that Ukraine is invited to join NATO could become truly fundamental for peace. We understand that NATO membership is a matter for the future, not the present,” Zelensky emphasized.

He added that determination regarding NATO for Ukraine also signifies the inevitability of Euro-integration for Ukraine and the non-negotiability of democracy in the country.

“That is why this is the initial point of the Victory Plan. The first and very important. The sign of determination. This is what the invitation is. The unconditional invitation right now. This means certainty about how our partners truly see the place of all of us, Ukraine's place in the security architecture,” the head of state noted.

As reported, during his speech in the Verkhovna Rada today, President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented Ukraine's Victory Plan.