'Bit End': Waiting Since 2008 Until Russia Fights, President Zelensky Admits Ukraine Can't Join NATO

JAKARTA - Ukraine's long wait to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance, and three weeks at war with Russia 'ends bitterly' with President Volodymyr Zelensky admitting his country cannot join the pact.

President Zelensky said Ukraine had to accept not becoming a member of NATO, hinting at a potential key concession to Russia, which demanded such guarantees before launching its deadly invasion three weeks ago.

Speaking to military officials of the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force in a video message on Tuesday, the Ukrainian president, who has won worldwide praise for his actions during the war, said it was the 'truth; that they would not join a military alliance.

"Ukraine is not a member of NATO. We understand that. We have heard for years the door is open, but we also hear we cannot join. That is the truth and must be admitted," Zelensky said, as reported by the Independent March 16.

On the eve of the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded guarantees that Ukraine would never become a member of NATO. Moscow has repeated the request since its troops entered Ukraine, also asking Kyiv to sign a neutrality treaty and recognize the independence of the pro-Russian republic in the country's east.

Ukraine has consistently asked for NATO protection throughout the war, especially in the form of a no-fly zone, but this is the first time President Zelensky has admitted that Kyiv will not join the alliance.

Responding to the Ukrainian president's comments, British PM Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: "What is important is that the Ukrainian government decides what they think is appropriate. They should not have decisions forced on them."

"Of course, we want a peaceful solution to be reached but it must be on terms agreed by the Ukrainian government and they should not be forced to do so. The prime minister remains of the view that NATO membership is the right of democratic countries, but it is the countries who decide."

As previously reported, Ukraine's joining with NATO and the deployment of the pact's missiles in Eastern Europe have become Moscow's concerns that have sparked a debate with Kyiv. Ukraine is not a member of NATO but has pledged since 2008, to be given the opportunity to join, a move that would bring the US-led alliance to Russia's borders.

The West made the mistake of promising Ukraine membership of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in an interview with the LCI TV channel.

"There were times where we could have reacted better. For example, we proposed things we couldn't guarantee, in particular Ukraine's accession to NATO. This never materialized. I think it was a mistake to make promises that we couldn't keep," said Borell, citing TASS.

The head of European diplomacy also admitted that Western countries had made mistakes in building relations with Russia.

"Thus, we missed the opportunity to bring Russia closer to the West to prevent it."