Zelensky on security guarantees: If not NATO, then strong army and deployment of foreign troops

President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in Ankara during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ukrinform reports.

 “Today, Europe, NATO countries, the United States could certainly give Ukraine hope, faith in strong security guarantees. The belief that Ukraine will become a NATO member. However, we do not hear such support from the United States today. We know that they and several other European partners do not support our membership in NATO. I think this is a major goal of Russia, and it coincides with this outcome. Then there are security guarantees that can be put in place - a strong Ukrainian army and the possible presence of troops from other countries: Europe, the United States, our partners,” Zelensky said.

He added that the issue of deploying an international contingent to Ukraine was discussed today at a meeting with Erdoğan.

In the context of security guarantees and future negotiations, Zelensky said that Ukraine does not legally recognize occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian.

“Our east, our Crimea, and all other cities and villages are important to us,” the President said.

As Ukrinform reported, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the United States, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia are against Ukraine's membership in NATO.

Photo: AA