Zelensky on NATO guarantees and a strong Ukrainian army

On his Telegram channel, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, described a strategic path to end the ongoing war with Russia by tying Ukraine’s security to NATO membership guarantees and by maintaining a large, highly trained armed force. He argued that security assurances from NATO, even before formal membership, would signal that Kyiv will not face Moscow alone. He stressed that a robust, professional army is essential for sovereignty and for deterring aggression, capable of defending every inch of Ukrainian territory and sustaining the nation through turbulent times. The president emphasized that military strength must be matched by reliable political backing from international partners who share a commitment to collective security. In this framework, alliance assurances are not merely symbolic; they translate into practical deterrence, readiness to mobilize resources, and a clear expectation that aggression will carry consequences.