Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, recalled this Thursday, December 18, that membership of NATO is inscribed in the country’s Constitution and that he does not intend to change it at Russia’s request.
“I will not change my Constitution – which is what the Ukrainians decided – just because that is what Russia wants”said Zelensky, at a press conference after meeting with European Union (EU) leaders in Brussels, adding that Ukraine believes it deserves security guarantees to stop the ongoing conflict and prevent another possible Russian aggression.
Noting that in Washington, since the North American Presidency led by Democrat Joe Biden, he has been told that Ukraine will not join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Ukrainian head of state stressed that his objective is “to try to change these positions”.
“We have NATO membership in the Constitution and we want it, these are true security guarantees”he stated.
“The policy of the United States is that it does not see us in NATO, for now. But everything in politics is for now, politics changes and they may come to the conclusion that Ukraine reinforces NATO”he continued.
“Only NATO members can say who they want there”, stated the official.
And he concluded: “Our position remains and so does our desire to join NATO.”
The leaders of the EU 27 are meeting in Brussels to discuss financial support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, with the meeting’s main issue being the eventual approval of a reparations loan based on immobilized Russian assets.
Ukraine has relied on financial and weapons aid from Western allies since Russia invaded the country on February 24, 2022.
Kiev’s allies have also enacted sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy to try to diminish Moscow’s ability to finance the war effort in Ukraine.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory has plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since the Second World War (1939-1945).