Ukrainian President Zelensky fast-tracking efforts to join NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine launched a fast-track application to join the NATO alliance on Friday, which comes on the back of 4 referendums with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval of the annexation of four Ukrainian territories.

The Putin-endorsed referendums have been heavily criticized in the west.

“We are de facto allies,” Zelensky said in a statement. “This has already been achieved. De facto, we have already completed our path to NATO. De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliance’s standards, they are real for Ukraine — real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction.”

“We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other,” Zelensky continued. “This is what the Alliance is. De facto,” he added. “Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. Under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community. Under an accelerated procedure.”

Zelensky noted his intention to continue to fend off Russian troops and take back regions that are under Russian control. Zelensky said he remains open to negotiations with Moscow, provided that Putin is removed from office.

“Firstly, strengthening Ukraine and expelling the occupiers from our entire territory is the only path to restoring peace. We will go this way,” the president said on his official Telegram channel.

“Secondly, Ukraine was and remains a leader in negotiation efforts. It was our state that always offered Russia to agree to a coexistence on equal, honest, dignified and fair terms.

“It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian President. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another President of Russia.

“And thirdly, we must legally record all that we have already in fact achieved. It is in Ukraine that the fate of democracy is decided by confronting tyranny.”

Putin gave speech in front of Moscow’s most senior political figures, telling the West the land grab was irreversible and urged Ukraine’s army to come forward and negotiate a surrender deal.

“I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West: People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens forever,” Putin said. “We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities… and return to the negotiating table.”