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Zelenskyy: If Ukraine’s NATO Accession Is Delayed, Provide Nuclear Weapons and Missiles

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Zelenskyy: If Ukraine’s NATO Accession Is Delayed, Provide Nuclear Weapons and Missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a joint press conference in Kyiv. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine must have the means to defend itself while the process of joining NATO remains uncertain.

According to him, if Ukraine’s accession is delayed for years or even decades due to the position of Western partners, the country needs alternative security guarantees, including nuclear weapons or a sufficient supply of missiles.

Zelenskyy made these remarks in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on February 4.

“If this process drags on for years or decades—not because of us, but because of our partners—then we have a legitimate question: what will protect us from this threat in the meantime? What kind of support package? What kind of missiles? Will they provide us with nuclear weapons? Then let them give us nuclear weapons. Or will they supply us with enough missiles to stop Russia?” Zelenskyy said.

The President underscored that if Ukraine is not granted NATO membership, Western countries should consider alternative measures, including military assistance, financial support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and even the deployment of allied troops in certain regions to stabilize the situation.

“Give us nuclear weapons, provide us with missile systems, help us finance a one-million-strong army, and deploy allied forces in regions where stability is needed to ensure security for our people,” Zelenskyy stated.

He also reiterated that Russia justified its full-scale invasion by citing the potential threat of Ukraine joining NATO. If NATO membership is not imminent, Zelenskyy argued, then Russia should withdraw from all occupied Ukrainian territory.

“Putin invaded because he feared we would become a NATO member. Fine, we are not in NATO. Then leave our land,” he added.

Zelenskyy also suggested that once Russia fully withdraws, discussions on financial compensation for the destruction and losses caused by the invasion should take place.

Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that any US-Russia negotiations on ending the war that exclude Ukraine would be “very dangerous for everyone.” He emphasized that Kyiv must be part of discussions and highlighted the importance of direct talks with Washington.

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