Ukrainian president stresses NATO membership over nuclear ambitions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently clarified that Ukraine is not pursuing nuclear weapons but emphasized the urgent need for NATO membership to ensure the country's security against Russian aggression.

In a statement to the European Council, he noted that while Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal in 1994, it is now engaged in a fight for its sovereignty. "Who gave up nuclear weapons? All of them? ... Ukraine," he remarked, illustrating the dire situation Ukraine faces, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Following this, Zelenskyy assured NATO officials that Ukraine has no intentions of developing nuclear capabilities. Ukraine’s foreign ministry reiterated this commitment, stating that it remains dedicated to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and complies with its provisions. The ministry stressed that Ukraine is a responsible participant in the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Zelenskyy also referred to the Budapest Memorandum, which promised security assurances from major nuclear powers to Ukraine in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons. He suggested that this decision has proven to be a mistake, particularly as Russia has violated Ukraine’s sovereignty multiple times since 2014.

The Budapest Memorandum, signed in December 1994, saw Ukraine agree to transfer its inherited nuclear arsenal to Russia for dismantlement, which included around 1,900 warheads. In contrast, Russia has continued to modernize its nuclear capabilities, recently testing advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Zelenskyy's comments by asserting that Moscow would prevent Ukraine from acquiring nuclear weapons and would react appropriately to any such efforts. Meanwhile, Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, emphasized that Ukraine's focus is on obtaining security guarantees rather than pursuing nuclear arms, highlighting a commitment to fairness amidst ongoing conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva