During a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced an unexpected position regarding the country's future membership in the Alliance. The head of state declared that Ukraine's integration into the North Atlantic Treaty structure serves the interests not only of Kyiv and partner countries but also of Russia itself.
Mutual Necessity
Zelenskyy emphasized that most NATO member states already recognize fundamental interdependence. According to him, the Ukrainian side is no less necessary to the Alliance than the Alliance is to Ukraine for ensuring security. The President expressed confidence that this balance of power and interests is understood by key players on the global stage.
A Paradox for Moscow
Special attention in his speech was paid by the Ukrainian leader to the geopolitical consequences for the neighbor to the east. Zelenskyy put forward the thesis that Ukraine's membership in NATO would be beneficial even for Russia. The President's argumentation is based on the long-term perspective: he warned that in the future, the Russian leadership might feel "pain" if Ukraine remains outside the Alliance.
Partners' Assessment
The question of accession remains key in Kyiv's relations with the West, as Ukrainian authorities view it as the only effective guarantee of long-term security after the war ends. Kyiv's position is supported by some allies. In particular, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson previously noted that Ukraine is capable of significantly strengthening NATO.
In the opinion of the Swedish minister, the combat experience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, innovations in the military sphere, and the country's powerful defense-industrial complex could become an important asset for the security of all of Europe.