Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that his country needs security guarantees from NATO and additional weapons for its defense to strengthen its position before possible talks with Russia. TASR informs about it based on the reports of AFP and Reuters agencies.
Zelenskyy spoke after a meeting with new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and new European Council president António Costa, who visited Kyiv on their first day in office to express support for Ukraine.
“Inviting Ukraine to join NATO is necessary for our survival,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Costa. He emphasized that the invitation must include the entire territory of Ukraine, although he acknowledged that NATO’s defense shield could not cover areas occupied by Russia during the war.
Kiev faces attacks on the power grid and loses frontline positions
Ukraine faces a tough winter as Russia attacks its energy grid and Kiev’s exhausted troops lose frontline positions, AFP reported. Uncertainty also reigns in the issue of future US support after the inauguration of the newly elected President Donald Trump in January. There are fears that he could force Kiev to make painful concessions in an effort to quickly reach a peace deal.
Costa said that the European Union will provide unwavering support to Ukraine. “We have been with you since the first day of this war, and you can count on the fact that we will continue to stand by you,” he told Zelensky.
Kallasová told journalists during her trip to Ukraine that membership in NATO would be the strongest security guarantee for Kyiv. However, according to diplomats from the Alliance, the prospects for early acceptance of Ukraine are slim due to the disapproval of many members, who fear being drawn into a war with Russia.
Kallas also said that the Union should maintain “strategic ambiguity” and not rule anything out when it comes to sending European troops to support compliance with a possible ceasefire.
According to her, the EU will also try to convince Trump that the support of Kyiv is in the interest of the US. “Aid for Ukraine is not charity. Russia’s victory would definitely encourage China, Iran, and North Korea,” she emphasized.
