Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Kiev has heard loud and clear that it will not be joining NATO, and this is a reality which Ukrainians must come to terms with.

“It’s clear that Ukraine is not a member of NATO. We understand this. We are reasonable people. For years we were told about supposedly ‘open doors’, but have also heard that we cannot enter. This is the truth and this needs to be admitted,'” Zelensky said, speaking at a meeting of the leaders of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian president added that Ukraine is not calling for Article Five of the NATO Treaty on joint defense to be activated.

He appealed for more weapons to counter Russia’s operation in Ukraine, noting that Kiev is rapidly using up weapons and other hardware that Western nations have shipped to his country.

Zelensky also appealed for a full trade embargo on Russia, saying sanctions have not been enough to counter the Russian advance.

“We have to acknowledge Russia as a rogue state and there has to be a trade embargo with Russia,” Zelensky says.

“This is something that we need and you need as well, just like the rest of the world, to make sure there is peace in Europe and Ukraine.”

Source: Agencies