**Ukraine’s NATO Membership Seen as “Cheapest” Security Guarantee**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that NATO membership is the best possible security guarantee for Ukraine. In an interview with the Associated Press, he called it the “cheapest” option for Western allies.
Zelensky believes that joining NATO would be a victory for US President Donald Trump and would send a strong message to Russia that it’s not up to them to decide who can join the Alliance.
**NATO Membership on the Table in Peace Negotiations**
The question of Ukraine’s future accession to NATO is likely to be a key point of contention in upcoming peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. These talks are expected to take place within the next few months, with Trump having pledged to initiate them.
Ukraine officially applied to join NATO in September 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion. While NATO members have asserted that Ukraine’s path to membership is irreversible, they have yet to extend a formal invitation.
**Russia Sees NATO Membership as a Threat**
Russian propaganda narratives frequently cite Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a justification for the invasion. Trump has also echoed this talking point, saying that Biden’s support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations provoked the full-scale war.
Moscow has said that a ban on Ukraine’s entry into NATO is a key condition of any ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian officials have disputed Trump’s narrative and dismissed Russia’s demands, calling them “utter bull***it”.
**Zelensky Sees Benefits in NATO Membership**
Zelensky believes that Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance would be mutually beneficial to Kyiv and to member states. The addition of Ukrainian defense forces would also be an asset to NATO, potentially allowing the US to withdraw its troops stationed overseas.
He has expressed skepticism about French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to deploy European peacekeepers to Ukraine, saying it’s not enough and needs to be backed by other security measures.
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