Ukraine asks only for invitation, not NATO membership right now – Zelensky

Ukraine does not expect permission to become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance during the war but hopes to receive an invitation to join NATO.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this during the press conference with the participants of the fourth "Ukraine – Northern Europe" summit.

"We are not discussing Ukraine's membership in NATO now, during the war. We are only talking about an invitation to join NATO. This political decision would provide geopolitical clarity for Ukraine and all of Europe and, of course, strengthen our diplomatic position vis-a-vis Russia when the time comes. The second Peace Summit takes place," the Ukrainian President emphasized.

Zelensky emphasized that it is pretty apparent why an invitation to NATO is not the same as full membership in the Alliance.

However, he said, some leaders talk about it as if it were the same thing.

"They are asked for an invitation, and they answer for membership. This is unfair. This is just a way of saying 'no,'" the head of state noted.

The president believes that Ukrainians have the right to receive an honest answer.

"Ukraine deserves an honest answer, and I ask you to support this transparency. Please work with partners across Europe – especially in Berlin – so that we can achieve this geopolitical clarity together," Zelensky said.

On October 28, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Iceland for the first time on a working visit. As the head of state confirmed, he would participate in the fourth Ukraine-Northern Europe summit, where he planned to hold bilateral negotiations with the prime ministers of Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

On this day, the summit of the countries of Northern Europe began in the capital of Iceland. In addition to the President of Ukraine, almost 90 people, including prime ministers, foreign ministers, members of parliament, and guests, participated in it.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky began his first visit to Iceland by meeting with the country's Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson.

On the summit webpage, it is noted that Zelensky's speech to the participants is planned for Tuesday, October 29.

For reference:

On September 30, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal signed Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to NATO.

Already in 2023, a summit of NATO countries was held in Vilnius on July 11 and 12, one of the main topics of which was Ukraine. In the final communiqué of the summit, published on the Alliance's website, the heads of state and government of the North Atlantic Alliance recognized Ukraine's progress on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration. They confirmed that Ukraine's future lies with NATO.

Additionally, 287 NATO standards have already been implemented in the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces. By the end of 2023, approximately 200 more North Atlantic Alliance standards were planned to be implemented.

Moreover, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said the USA and Germany oppose Ukraine's official invitation to NATO.

On October 18, 2024, the administration of US President Joe Biden announced that there is currently no consensus among NATO members to extend an invitation to Ukraine. The discussion is ongoing. At the same time, the United States wants to achieve "the same urgency and contribution" from other partners regarding aid to Ukraine as the United States.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Ukraine will eventually become the Alliance's 33rd or 34th member.

On October 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the Victory Plan, which includes five main points and three undisclosed attachments. The first point is to invite Ukraine to NATO now. According to the President's Office, the annexes also pertain to launching attacks against Russia and obtaining necessary weapons.