**Ukraine‘s President Calls for Alternative Security Guarantee**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that the US should provide his country with a nuclear alternative to NATO membership. This comes after Ukraine applied to join NATO in 2022, but received no official invitation.
Zelensky expressed frustration with the delayed process of joining NATO, which he said could take “years or decades.” He questioned how Ukraine would defend itself during this time. The Ukrainian president also pointed out that while the West can supply missiles to deter Russia, they cannot stop Russian nuclear weapons.
**”Nuclear Weapons or Nothing”**
In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Zelensky said: “What kind of support package? What kind of missiles? Will they give us nuclear weapons? Then let them give us nuclear weapons.” He also proposed other alternatives, such as giving Ukraine missile systems and financing a million-strong army.
**Russia’s Invasion Justified by Fear of NATO**
Zelensky argued that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was justified by President Vladimir Putin‘s fear of the country joining NATO. However, since Ukraine is not yet a member, Zelensky said: “Well, we are not NATO members. Get out of our land.”
**A Lesson from History**
The Ukrainian president also referenced the 1990s decision to give up nuclear weapons without receiving robust security guarantees in return. Under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine relinquished its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal and joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Thirty years later, Russia is waging a full-scale war against Ukraine.
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