NATO Summit results “positive”, but “not ideal” – Zelenskyy

We can say that the results of the NATO Vilnius Summit are positive, but it would be ideal if we received an invitation to the bloc, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday. 

 

“As for the invitation, I understand that it is a technical signal, but if we consider it as a serious factor in motivating Ukrainian people, then for me, as the president, it was a very important moment”, Zelenskyy said. 

 

He stressed Ukrainians were “adequate people”, and understood “some people are really afraid to talk about our membership now, nobody wants a world war”. 

 

“Ukraine will become a member of NATO when the conditions are really right, I mean when there is security on our land”, he said.  Zelenskyy noted that the EU candidacy was also a signal. 

 

“Candidacy is not EU membership, but allows for a  powerful mobilisation of Ukraine”, Zelenskyy said. 

 

NATO on Tuesday said Ukraine would no longer need its membership action plan for membership, but made no clear schedules when the country would be invited to the bloc.