Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country will file an expedited application to join NATO after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to annex parts of eastern Ukraine.
In a statement, Zelensky called Ukraine and NATO “de facto” allies and said his country would seek formal membership in the alliance.
“De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliance’s standards, they are real for Ukraine — real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction,” Zelensky said.
“Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. Under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community. Under an accelerated procedure,” the statement continued.
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Zelensky’s statement Friday didn’t make clear when exactly Ukraine would file for NATO membership. However, it acknowledges that all members of the alliance will have to approve of its bid.
But the statement said it was possible for Ukraine to join under an accelerated procedure, as Finland and Sweden started its accession into the alliance this year under the same process.
“Security has no alternatives. But determination is needed to guarantee it. We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to NATO,” Zelensky said.
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Zelensky says Ukraine filing expedited application to join NATO https://t.co/z4r8jwDFfq pic.twitter.com/WbTrwEg9xa
— The Hill (@thehill) September 30, 2022
Hours after Ukraine requested an "accelerated accession" to join NATO, Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday declined to explicitly endorse the bid, but said she supports a “security guarantee” for Kyiv.https://t.co/R9dxJWmE8Y
— POLITICO (@politico) September 30, 2022
Another of my neighbors applies to join NATO… pic.twitter.com/DomEQ5i5wl
— Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) September 30, 2022
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