Zelenskyy "If Ukraine joins NATO, the war is over"

Photo Source: Yonhap News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that NATO's formal invitation to join the country is the only way for Ukraine to survive Russia's invasion, the Financial Times said.

According to the newspaper, President Zelenskyy made the remarks after explaining the so-called "victory plan" at the European Union and EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on the 17th.

President Zelensky predicted that Ukraine's accession to NATO is essential to bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

"We need invitations to strengthen diplomatic methods to end the war," he said. "The war will end when Putin is isolated and pushed out of diplomacy by other partners."

President Zelensky's victory plan, which includes the end-of-war solution and post-war cooperation and security initiatives, also includes invitations to join NATO as a key factor.

Under NATO regulations, 'invitation to join' is the first necessary procedure for joining as a new member and requires unanimous approval from 32 member states.

Many NATO members have expressed their willingness to support Ukraine's NATO membership, but the U.S. and Germany, NATO's main pillars, are opposed by fears of escalating conflict with Russia.