During a press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa on 1 December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that inviting Ukraine to NATO is critical for the country’s survival, making it clear that such an invitation must encompass the entirety of Ukrainian territory.
“Inviting Ukraine to NATO is essential for our survival. We are working on all levels to strengthen Ukraine’s position and that of the entire Euro-Atlantic community,” Zelenskyy stated.
The President pointed to the United States, Germany, and Hungary as sceptics of Ukraine’s NATO membership. However, he stressed that the upcoming NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 3–4 December is not the final opportunity for Ukraine to receive an invitation to join the Alliance.
“This is not the last opportunity. In any case, we can expect further steps if there is political will. The current US administration has two months left, and it has influence over a few European sceptics regarding our future. However, this is not yet an invitation—it is a recommendation from foreign ministers to their leaders about a future invitation for Ukraine to NATO,” Zelenskyy explained.
The President reiterated that “NATO is the best security guarantee for us” and firmly rejected the idea of NATO membership applying to only part of Ukraine’s territory.
“Accepting NATO membership for part of Ukraine would be an automatic recognition that other territories are not only at risk but are not Ukrainian. That is why Ukraine will never agree to this,” Zelenskyy stated.
Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha sent a letter to NATO counterparts, urging them to extend an invitation to Ukraine during the Brussels meeting next week. Zelenskyy followed with a statement suggesting that NATO membership for areas under Ukrainian control could help end the “hot phase” of the war. He emphasised, however, that any NATO invitation must affirm Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.