The presidents of nine NATO member countries supported Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance and called for increased aid

The Presidents of nine NATO member countries from Central and Eastern Europe released a joint statement in which they supported Ukraine’s aspirations for membership in the North Atlantic Alliance and once again condemned Russian aggression.

The signatories include eight leaders of states who visited Ukraine after the start of the Russian full-scale invasion.

“We do not recognize and will never recognize Russia’s attempts to annex any Ukrainian territory. We firmly stand behind the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit decision concerning Ukraine’s future membership,” the document states.

Also, the leaders of the partner countries call for an increase in military aid for Ukraine.

“We support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion, demand Russia to immediately withdraw from all the occupied territories, and encourage all Allies to substantially increase their military aid to Ukraine. All those who commit crimes of aggression must be held accountable and brought to justice,” the nine Presidents stated.

The document was signed by: President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman, President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Latvia Egils Levits, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of North Macedonia Stewo Pendarowski, President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of Romania Klaus Johannis, and President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová.

As previously reported, Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, have signed an application for accelerated accession of Ukraine to NATO.

“De facto, we have already made our way to NATO. De facto, we have already proven compatibility with Alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine — real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is what the Alliance is. De facto. Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. In a process that is consistent with our value in protecting our entire community. In an expedited manner. We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to NATO,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Zelensky also emphasized that while the consultations among the member states of the Alliance continue, Ukraine offers to implement proposals regarding security guarantees for Ukraine – the Kyiv Security Compact.

It is currently unknown what those security guarantees are, however, Zelensky noted that these points have already been passed on to the partners.