He reiterated that until recently, the USA, Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary have opposed. However, the latter three are influenced by Washington, where power changed hands on January 20, according to the president.
"NATO specifically depends on the USA... If Trump is willing to see Ukraine in NATO – we will be in NATO, and everyone will support it. And if President Trump is not ready to see us in NATO – we will not be in NATO," Zelensky stated.
He called the promises of some Alliance members to accept Kyiv "false," and described the position of the US and German authorities on this matter as weak due to their ongoing contacts and attempts at negotiations with the aggressor country, Russia.
"They had a dialogue with the Russians, and I believe they lost that dialogue... I have a question as a Ukrainian: why did you suddenly negotiate about us without us? We are an independent country. Why have you – whether in the 90s, 2000s, or beyond – constantly negotiated without Ukraine? Regarding what our security guarantees should be, whether there is a place for Ukraine in NATO or not... It seems absolutely unfair and dishonest to me to behave this way," the head of state explained.
When asked if he expects a change in Germany's position on this issue after the parliamentary elections and the formation of a new government, Zelensky expressed his hope for a shift in Berlin's approach regarding this matter, as well as concerning the supply of long-range TAURUS missiles. At the same time, he thanked Germany for providing weapons and other assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian occupiers.