Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday Kyiv is requesting fast-track NATO membership after Russia formally annexed four Moscow-held regions of Ukraine.
“We have already proven our compatibility with Alliance standards… We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to NATO,” Zelensky said in a video posted by the Ukrainian presidency on social media.
Zelensky also warned that he would not negotiate with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin is in power. “Ukraine will not hold any negotiations with Russia as long as Putin is the president of the Russian Federation. We will negotiate with the new president,” Zelensky said, after Putin annexed four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions.
