NATO Summit: After posting a fiery message on social media platforms, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed his agenda for Ukraine to join NATO in a speech in Vilnius. His latest speech came on Tuesday as members of the coalition gathered in the Lithuanian capital for a major summit.
“In NATO that doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t waste time and doesn’t look back at any aggressor… And I would like that confidence to be the confidence – the confidence in the decisions we deserve – we all deserve, and every Warrior, every citizen, every mother, every child hopes. And is it too much to expect? NATO will protect Ukraine. Ukraine will strengthen the alliance. Slow Ukrainian, slow lituvai! I said this to Lithuanians and Ukrainians in Vilnius President Zelensky gathered for a concert as part of the campaign “Raising the flag for Ukraine in NATO”.
Zelensky furious before NATO summit
Earlier today, he hit out at the US-led military alliance and called it “absurd” that no deadline was being set for inviting the war-torn nation to join the union. “We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate open dialogue. Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it’s about respect. But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on his way to Vilnius, President Zelensky wrote in a strongly worded statement on Twitter: “We have indications that Ukraine is being discussed without some words.”
“It is unprecedented and absurd when neither an invitation nor a deadline has been set for Ukraine’s membership,” he said.
It is noteworthy that during a meeting in 2008, NATO agreed that Ukraine would become a “member”. However, the non-governmental coalition did not specify how and when this might happen. The war started in February last year on the pretext of Ukraine’s desire to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Later, Zelensky clarified that “Kiev has no intention of joining the military alliance very soon”.
Meanwhile, Zelensky, who was on his way to Vilnius to attend the summit, expressed his dismay at the way the talks had gone.