Ukraine accelerates Nato bid following Russian annexation, ‘a decisive step’, Zelensky says
- ‘We have already proven compatibility with alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine,’ Zelensky said
- He also repeated his pledge to reunite his country’s territory held by Russia after it annexed four regions
Ukraine’s president says his country is submitting an “accelerated” application to join the Nato military alliance.
The comment by President Volodymyr Zelensky came on Friday just after Russia said it would annex four regions of Ukraine it seized following gunpoint referendums it held that are viewed as illegitimate by the international community.
“We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to Nato,” Zelensky said.
It wasn’t immediately clear what an “accelerated” application would mean, as ascension to Nato requires the unanimous support of the alliance’s members.
“De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine – real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction”, Zelensky said. “We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the alliance”.
02:41
Russia claims victory in Moscow-controlled Ukraine referendums, paving the way for annexation
Ukraine’s president also repeated his pledge to reunite all of the Ukrainian territory now held by Russia.