Zelenskyy: The world will not understand NATO leaders if Ukraine does not receive an invitation to join the Alliance in Vilnius

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address.

He spoke about the negotiations with NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg, the leitmotif of which was "the defense of Ukraine. Protection of the rules-based international order. Protection of life".

The president also emphasized that Ukraine is preparing for a meeting in the Ramstein format, "where Mr. Stoltenberg's position is important. We are preparing for our active actions on the frontline - they are inevitable."

"We are also preparing for the NATO summit in Vilnius, which is scheduled for this summer, but its content is being worked out now. It is at such meetings, in contacts of various levels that we maintain with our partners. Neither the majority of Ukrainians, nor the majority of Europeans, nor the majority of people across NATO will understand the leaders of the Alliance if this summit in Vilnius does not include a well-deserved political invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance," the statement reads.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had done everything to ensure that its application was granted.

"It's hard to say whose contribution to European and Euro-Atlantic security is greater than that of our soldiers... Ukrainians who defend freedom with their lives. I am grateful to all partners who support us in this," the President added.