NATO-RUSSIA TENSIONS

Zelensky stands by Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa.

"When we will get there, nobody knows, not even some NATO members," he said

President Volodymyr Zelensky defended plans to get Ukraine into NATO, noting that membership in the defence alliance would make the country feel safer.

"Unfortunately not everything depends on us," Zelensky said after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kiev.

The Ukrainian president pointed to that fact that striving for NATO membership was anchored in the national constitution.

"When we will get there, nobody knows, not even some NATO members," he said.

"We have to continue on the path we have chosen."

Scholz had previously said that NATO membership for Ukraine was "practically not on the agenda," despite what Russia might imply with its security demands in the Ukraine crisis.