Russia reacts to Zelenskyy's words on Ukraine's accession to NATO and talks about a "key priority"

The Kremlin has reacted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that Kyiv expects to be invited to join NATO in 2023. Moscow sees Ukraine's desire to protect itself from its aggressive neighbour as "unwillingness and inability" to engage in peace talks.

This was stated by Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. He implied that Ukraine's membership in NATO is threatened by Russia, which allegedly invaded the neighbouring country to prevent Ukraine from joining the Alliance, and said that Kyiv and the West must take into account Russia's interests.

Moscow again threw a tantrum over Ukraine's plans to join NATO.

"We regret to note that such statements indicate the unwillingness, unwillingness, and inability of the Kyiv regime to solve existing problems at the negotiating table," Peskov said.

The representative of the aggressor state, which in February 2022 launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine under the pretext of demanding that NATO "return to the borders of 1997", is now trying to assure that Russia has always insisted exclusively on further non-enlargement of the Alliance, in particular by accepting Ukraine into its membership.

"Russia will seek to secure its interests and its security. This excludes the expansion of the Alliance and its direct approach to our borders, including Ukraine's membership in NATO. Of course, this is one of the main irritants of potential problems for many, many years. Many European countries, oddly enough, are well aware of this," he said.

At the same time, according to Peskov, the Kremlin imagined that someone would take into account the interests of the aggressor, who loses the war on the battlefield, in determining how the war will be ended. According to Peskov, Russia's "wants" should become a "priority" when determining the conditions for ending the war.

"We note and see that there are more and more expert discussions, statements by representatives of European countries - still abstract, but considerations - about a certain peace process. However, these discussions lack any political will to take into account the goals and concerns of our country. For us, this is a top priority," Putin's spokesman stressed.

According to him, Russia currently "sees no prerequisites for dialogue with Ukraine".

As a reminder, on 1 June, President Zelenskyy voiced his expectations for the July NATO summit in Vilnius. According to him, as a result of this event, our country expects "a clear invitation to Ukraine for membership".

The Head of State also noted that the security borders in Europe from February 24, 2022, are "the borders of our determination and ability to act together".

"As much as we can reject doubts, we can reject the evil of aggression. This year is for decisions," the President said.

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