🟩 UKRAINE IS NOT SEEKING NATO’S PROTECTION ALONE—IT WOULD MAKE THE ALLIANCE STRONGER
Ukraine’s primary security guarantee is its own military, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, arguing that Ukrainian membership would strengthen NATO and provide greater security for the whole of Europe.
“A Ukraine in NATO is a security guarantee for Europe because there is no army as strong as this in Europe. Not yet,” Zelenskyy said.
His argument changes the usual framing of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. Ukraine is not simply asking other countries to defend it. Its military has accumulated years of combat experience against Russia, pioneered rapidly evolving drone warfare and learned how to fight a large-scale modern war under constant missile, artillery and electronic-warfare pressure.
Europe is rebuilding its military strength, but Ukraine already possesses knowledge that cannot be purchased or recreated overnight. Zelenskyy said European partners will receive Ukrainian information, technology and battlefield experience as that cooperation continues.
Ukraine has spent years serving as Europe’s shield against Russian aggression. Its battle-hardened army is now becoming the sword behind that shield.