Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted that his country’s prospects of joining NATO are unlikely. “It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of NATO, we understand that,” Zelenskyy said Tuesday during an online appearance before representatives of the northern European military cooperation Joint Expeditionary Force.
“For years we have heard about open doors, but now we have also heard that we are not allowed to enter there and we have to accept that,” Zelenskyi added. “I am glad that our people are beginning to understand this, to count on themselves and on our partners to help us.”
Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine for almost three weeks, is demanding a so-called neutral status for the neighboring country – i.e. Ukraine renouncing NATO membership.
According to the Unian agency, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said there were only two ways to end the war: either Moscow would comply with Kiev’s demand for a troop withdrawal in the ongoing negotiations. Or Russia will keep fighting – and will ultimately be defeated by the Ukrainian army.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian parliament extended martial law by a further 30 days until April 25. It was first announced on February 24, a few hours after the Russian invasion.