Ukraine has a strong army and deserves to be invited and become an equal member of NATO. The North Atlantic Alliance must objectively assess our country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for Ukrainian TV channels in the framework of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Economy without Oligarchs" in Kyiv.
The President stressed that Ukraine has made great efforts to ensure that NATO leaders confirm the prospects of our country's accession to the Alliance.
"Our servicemen demonstrate the strength and power of the army, which is ready for defense. I communicated about this with the leaders (of NATO member states - ed.) and invited them to Donbas to show the level. We deserve to be members of the Alliance if the Alliance sees Ukraine among NATO members not behind the scenes, but at the same table," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State thanked US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and leaders of other NATO member states who supported Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations during the Brussels Summit.
"I think Ukraine deserves more. We deserve to be equal in the Alliance, among powerful countries. We should be invited - I think it's fair. We should not ask," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
According to him, Ukraine has chosen the policy of a welcome guest in its relations with NATO, in contrast to some political forces, which in previous years have brought the country closer to the Alliance only in words.
"We have a different policy. This is an internal, firm position of respect for Ukraine as a state, as a nation," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that some politicians do not like Ukraine's direct, clear position on the need to support its Euro-Atlantic course.
"Many people say that we have a very edgy, tough position, that someone doesn't like it. I think our position is fair because it is honest," the President stressed.