Zelenskyy named the condition for Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO.

Ukraine is prepared to consider an alternative format of security guarantees to NATO membership, but only on the condition that they have the same legal force and ensure genuine protection of the state.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

According to the head of state, the best security model for Ukraine involves the integration of three components: the Ukrainian army, the European Union, and NATO.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the Ukrainian military, thanks to its experience and numbers, is already an important factor in the country’s defense and can strengthen the defense capabilities of European states. At the same time, NATO membership would entail participation in a common security system with legally defined obligations for allies.

The President also noted that joining the EU depends on the decisions of European countries, while joining NATO requires the consent of both Europe and the United States.

“We are ready to discuss equivalent guarantees, even under a different name, but they must have the same legal force,” Zelensky said.

He emphasized that Ukraine needs not formal promises from its partners, but an effective defense mechanism in the event of a new threat. According to the president, any alternative to NATO membership must ensure a comparable level of security and deter potential aggression.