We must work and do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine receives security guarantees worthy of our nation that could stop Vladimir Putin, said President Volodymyr Zelensky when asked about Donald Trump's recent words. The US president-elect stated that he “understands Russia's feelings” regarding Ukraine's possible membership in NATO. Zelensky appealed “not to draw any conclusions” from this statement.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was asked on Wednesday at a conference in Kiev about the president-elect's words USA Donald Trumpwho on Tuesday said he “understands Russia's feelings” regarding possible Ukrainian membership NATO.
Zelensky appealed “not to draw one or another conclusion” about US policy. – We must work and do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine receives security guarantees worthy of our nation, which could stop Putin, he stressed.
He recalled that it was also said that Patriot systems could only be deployed in NATO countries, but currently they are in Ukraine. – So what? Either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not draw hasty conclusions. It was like that with Patriots, it was like that with missile systems and other weapons, he said.
Zelensky also suggested that Russia was encouraged to aggression by the fact that “Ukraine was not protected by a serious alliance of guarantors of its security.” – I think we have the right to demand serious and strong security guarantees, he said.
Trump expresses understanding for Russia
On Tuesday, Trump held a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida suggested that Ukraine should never join the Allianceexpressing understanding for Russia's demands in this matter. He also said it was a decision Joe Bidento refuse to rule out Ukraine's future accession to NATO was the reason for Russian aggression.
– They said it was carved in stone for them. But at one point Biden said, no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, if Russia has someone on their doorstep, I understand their feelings about it, Trump said. He added that “in his understanding” there was a supposed deal that would have satisfied both Russia and Ukraine and that would have protected Ukraine from Russian aggression, but it was thwarted by Biden.
Trump also stated that he would like to meet with Vladimir Putin as soon as possible and expressed frustration that he could not do so before the start of his second presidency.
Main photo source: TING SHEN/PAP