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Ukraine realizes NATO membership 'out of reach' for now — Zelensky’s office

Igor Zhovkva said that Ukraine could accept the accession model used for Sweden and Finland, "who received invitations to join the alliance," but these invitations entered into effect only after certain conditions were met

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Ukraine understands that joining NATO remains "out of reach" for now, deputy head of Zelensky’s office Igor Zhovkva said during a press conference in the "New Europe" center, live streamed on the center’s YouTube channel.

"It is evident that our NATO membership is out of reach […] at least as long as the conflict is going on. This is not a matter for today or even the near future. This is a long-term prospect. But it must happen," he said.

Zhovkva added that Ukraine could accept the accession model used for Sweden and Finland, "who received invitations to join the alliance," but these invitations entered into effect only after certain conditions were met.

"This is one potential mechanism for implementing NATO membership guarantees. If such a mechanism is unavailable, we will pursue bilateral security agreements," he added.

Sweden received an invitation to join NATO on June 29, 2022, and became a full member on March 7, 2024. Finland received its own invitation on June 28, 2022, and joined the alliance on April 4, 2023.

On June 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the preconditions for the settlement in Ukraine. They include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass and Novorossiya, as well as the rejection of Kiev’s NATO membership aspirations. Ukraine must also fully ensure rights, freedoms and interests of Russian-speaking citizens. Russia considers it necessary to cancel all Western anti-Russian sanctions and cement Ukraine’s non-aligned and non-nuclear status.

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