Ukraine's government has responded to Russia's formal annexation of the four eastern and southern regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia on Friday by saying it has applied to become a member of the NATO military alliance.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his country is submitting an "accelerated" application to formally join NATO. This could mark a huge escalation and turning point in the war, largely dependent on NATO leadership's response, given the question of NATO expansion right up to Russia's border remains a central motive in the Kremlin launching and continuing the invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has applied for NATO membership in a video address on Friday.
The country, according to him, can count on fast-track accession to NATO.
"De facto, we have already become a NATO ally. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the Alliance," Zelensky said.
"Today, Ukraine submits an application to make this de jure. (Our application) would be a formal solidifying of the real state of things we've already achieved."
"Today, Ukraine submits an application to make this de jure. (Our application) would be a formal solidifying of the real state of things we've already achieved."
Volodymyr Zelensky
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he would hold a briefing on Friday at 7 PM.
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