NATO countries do not want to accept Ukraine because of fear of Russia - Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky does not expect Ukraine to enter NATO before the end of the war, but hopes to receive guarantees from the Alliance's leadership at a summit in Vilnius. Some NATO member countries do not want to see Ukraine in the Alliance for fear of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. In July in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, there will be a NATO summit, where Ukraine expects to clarify the terms of entry into the organization.

According to Volodymyr Zelensky, some countries are too afraid of direct confrontation with Russia, so they are delaying the process, but the Alliance is increasingly pressed, urging to give Ukrainians certain security guarantees and determine their path to membership. The President does not expect NATO to accept Ukraine until there is a war with Russia in its territory, but wants to hear from partners a promise to join the Alliance after the victory.

"If we are not given a signal in Vilnius, I think that Ukraine makes no sense to be at this summit," he said. When asked if Kiev can get such a signal, the head of state replied: "I do not know. I do not know honestly. " According to WSJ, in 2008, NATO stated that she would accept Ukraine to its ranks, but did not name specific terms.

Ukraine has applied for membership of last year, but the US, the unofficial leader of the organization, evades the discussion of the conditions of admission, and instead focused on providing military assistance. On June 2, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not draw any NATO country into the war with Russia. Speaking at a press conference in Kiev, the President added: Kiev does not seek alternatives, but requires security guarantees.