Zelensky says ‘uncertainty’ over Ukraine’s NATO membership motivates Moscow to continue ‘terror’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that uncertainty over whether the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance will offer admission to Ukraine motivates Russia to continue “terror” in its war on Kyiv. 

“It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance,” Zelensky said. “This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.”

“Uncertainty is weakness,” the Kyiv leader added.

Zelensky’s comments come as NATO leaders gather in Lithuania for the alliance’s fourth summit since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

President Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg talked Tuesday about Ukraine joining the alliance. Biden said on Sunday that Ukraine wasn’t ready for NATO membership.