Andriy Yermak: Ukrainian soldiers' resilience should change NATO Member Countries' attitude regarding the prospect of Ukraine joining the Alliance

The valor and heroism displayed by Ukrainian soldiers should change the North Atlantic Alliance Member Countries' attitude regarding the prospect of Ukraine becoming a member, said Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during the 17th Yalta European Strategy (YES) Annual Meeting «Ukraine: Defending All Our Freedom», organised by YES in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.

“Ukraine has never given up on its perspective and desire to join NATO. It seems to me that this war – our nation's courage and our soldiers' heroism, as well as our ability to fight, and not only to defend ourselves, but also to de-occupy our territories – should change NATO Members' attitude to the prospect of Ukraine's membership,” noted the Head of the Office of the President.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that Ukraine will definitely strengthen NATO and the Alliance Member States should be interested in this.

The Head of the Office of the President stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine before joining NATO should be extended to the entire territory of the country.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that Putin will go as far as the world will let him go. This is a critical thing to understand. In any case, our position is that security guarantees should be extended to the entire territory within internationally recognized borders,” Andriy Yermak noted.

He noted that Ukraine has become an outpost of democracy, one of the most influential countries in the world, and said that Ukrainians deserve clear security guarantees.

“Ukraine has become an outpost of democracy, the struggle for principles, ideals, and freedom. Today, Ukraine truly deserves to have clear security guarantees after this war,” concluded Andriy Yermak.