Zelensky warns allies: Excluding Ukraine from NATO plays into Russia’s hands

He made the remarks while addressing the NATO–Ukraine Council, which was convened for a special meeting marking the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrinform reported, citing the Facebook page of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO.

“In Ukraine, we believe it would simply be not smart to keep Ukraine outside of NATO. But this is exactly what Russia wants. Russia understands – better than some within the Alliance – who Ukrainians are, what Ukrainians are capable of. That is why Russia began its hunt against our people, against our country. And these are the true root-causes of this war,” the President noted in his address.

The President also told allies that today’s war is completely different from anything anyone had previously prepared for, and from what it was four years ago.

This, he said, means that Ukraine’s allies and their armed forces must also adapt – and that only together with Ukraine can this adaptation be fully effective.

Ukraine’s allies reaffirmed that their support for Ukraine remains strong and unwavering, and that NATO will continue to provide critically important military assistance.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking at NATO headquarters on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, said the Alliance would continue to support Ukraine and that Russian President Vladimir Putin must demonstrate whether he is genuinely committed to peace.