In response to Russia’s annexation of portions of its territory, Ukraine on Friday formalized a request for rapid membership of NATO, the US-led Western military alliance at the heart of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric for war.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky appeared in a video on Telegram signing the documents to apply for the ticket. “We are taking a decisive step by signing this order,” he said.
The statement is something of a riposte to Putin’s demonstrations, also on Friday, saying he is open to negotiating peace on his terms, as long as Kiev agrees to a unilateral ceasefire for the clash that began in February.
“Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is president; we will negotiate with a new president,” Zelensky added in the video.
The military alliance has yet to comment on the request, but Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg shortly afterwards described the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions — namely Kherson, Zaporijia, Donetsk and Lugansk — as illegal and illegitimate.
“NATO allies do not and will not recognize any of these territories as part of Russia,” he said during a speech at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
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