President of Ukraine

Ukraine's membership in NATO will be an important signal of support from partner countries - President in an interview for BBC HARDtalk

12 October 2020 - 13:00

NATO is security in our region, so Ukraine is moving towards full membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for BBC HARDtalk.

"Today we have become a NATO partner with enhanced opportunities. We are heading to NATO," the President said.

"NATO is security in our region. We understand that," he added.

The President stated: Ukraine has a powerful army of 200,000 servicemen. The material and technical provision of the Ukrainian army is constantly updated.

"I tell the United States, the countries of the European Union - I tell everyone: if you do not want to lose Ukraine, you must support it. And NATO membership is a very important signal to the Russian Federation and it is the most important support," he said.

To the host's remark that some European high-ranking officials consider Ukraine's membership in NATO and the EU a fantasy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy replied that the war between Ukraine and Russia was once considered a fantasy as well.