Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said they value their allies but Ukraine deserves respect too following reports that NATO is unlikely to offer membership to the country at Vilnius summit.
In a tweet, Zelenskyy said, “We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation. Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.” He added, “But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine.”
“It’s unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine,” Zelenskyy tweeted. Zelenskyy said it seems like NATO is not ready to invite or offer it membership in the alliance. “It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance,” he said.
Zelenskyy warned that delay in offering Ukraine NATO membership is a motivation for Russia to continue its attack. “A window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness,” Zelenskyy said.
On Monday, in his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said, “The security reality here on NATO's eastern flank depends on Ukraine. Ukraine is de facto already in the Alliance. Our weapons are the weapons of the Alliance. Our values are what the Alliance believes in. Our defence is the very element of the formula of Europe that makes it united, free and peaceful. Vilnius must confirm all this.”
