Zelenskyy acknowledges conditions for the return of Crimea and Ukraine joining NATO are not in place

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he stands by his statements that Ukraine would prefer to regain Crimea and join NATO, but acknowledged that the conditions for this are not currently in place.

Source: Zelenskyy during an online press briefing.

Details: Zelensky was asked about US President Donald Trump's recent interview, in which he mentioned an alleged first conversation between the Ukrainian president and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and his words that Ukraine would regain Crimea and join NATO.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine wants to join NATO and that he considers this to be a fair goal.

"But we know for certain that neither the US nor several other countries, to be frank, currently see Ukraine joining NATO. And Russia, of course, will never accept us there," the president said.

"And regarding Crimea, today we do not have the strength to fully regain our Ukrainian peninsula. And perhaps I said this at the first meeting [with Putin]. I believe I was right," he added.

Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine "does not have the strength for all of this today" and "does not have sufficient support for all of this," referring to the return of Crimea and NATO membership.

"But I said it at the first meeting [with Putin – Ed.]. I think I could confirm it at the latest meeting with Putin as well," he concluded.

Background:

• Trump has repeatedly claimed that his predecessor Barack Obama "gave" Crimea to Russia, which became a key factor in the subsequent course of Russia's war against Ukraine.
• Trump also stated that "it was an understanding" that Ukraine "would not be going into NATO".

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