PRESS RELEASE : Head of State – We do not give up the issue of Ukraine’s accession to NATO, but it depends not only on us

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 14 February 2022.

Ukraine’s intention to become a member of NATO is enshrined in the Constitution, it remains unchanged, but the decision to join the Alliance depends not only on our country. This was emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv.

“There is no signal from us that NATO membership is not our goal,” the President said.

“Unfortunately, not everything depends on Ukraine. You are well aware of Ukraine’s aspiration for the European Union, for strengthening its borders, for the Alliance,” he said.

According to the President, Ukraine’s membership in NATO would contribute to ensuring the security and territorial integrity of our country. And if the solution of this issue depended only on Ukraine, we would put an end to this issue in a very short time. But NATO’s “open door” policy is a path without specific deadlines.

“I think we have to follow the path we have chosen. All the same, the most important thing on this path is for our army to be powerful. And we will see where this path will lead and when,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.