Zelenskyy names these 'cheapest' security guarantees Ukraine can receive from allies
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Without security guarantees from Ukraine’s allied countries, any agreement with the Kremlin will only serve as a precursor to future aggression by Russia. The best way to prevent a future Russian attack is for Ukraine to join NATO, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with the Associated Press.
In his view, full NATO membership for Ukraine - a goal vigorously opposed by Russia - is the "cheapest" option for Kyiv’s allies. Zelenskyy also contended that it would bolster the geopolitical position of his American counterpart, Donald Trump.
"I really believe that these are the cheapest security guarantees that Ukraine can get, the cheapest for everyone," the Ukrainian president said.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine's NATO membership would send a clear signal that it is the US - not Russia - that will decide who will be in NATO and who won't.
He further noted that Ukraine's 800,000-strong army would be an additional asset for the North Atlantic Alliance, particularly if Trump opts to repatriate US forces stationed abroad.
Zelenskyy added that other proposals for security guarantees must be supported by an adequate supply of arms from the US and Europe, as well as by assistance to Kyiv in developing its defense industry.
Zelenskyy recently reiterated that NATO is the most cost-effective security guarantee. He explained that without the financial support that membership would bring, Ukraine would be unable to sustain Russian strikes without a million-strong army.
Earlier, President Zelenskyy also stated that French President Emmanuel Macron’s idea of deploying European troops to deter Russian aggression cannot serve as Ukraine’s sole security guarantee.
