Why we won’t join NATO – Ukraine’s President declares

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted that his country will not become a member of NATO, one of the demands made by Russia before it invaded.

According to a translation of his comments made via video link at a meeting of the leaders of the U.K. Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in London on Tuesday morning, March 15, Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine’s accession to NATO would not happen.

“For years we’ve heard the opposite, open doors, However, it is not,” he said according to Ukrainian news outlet, Trukha. “Our people understand this, and we are beginning to count on our own strength,” he added.

Media outlet Nexta quoted Zelensky as saying: “We realized that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. We understand this, we are adequate people.” “Kyiv needs new formats of interaction with the West and separate security guarantees.”

Meanwhile, ninety-seven Ukrainian children have died since the start of Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday in a speech to Canada’s parliament, pleading once more for allies to “expand” their support for Kyiv.

In the video address, the Ukrainian leader accused Russia’s military of “destroying everything: memorial complexes, schools, hospitals, housing complexes.”

“They’ve already killed 97 Ukrainian children,” Zelensky said.

“We’re not asking for much. We’re asking for justice, for real support, which will help us to prevail, to defend (ourselves), to save lives,” he said, receiving a standing ovation from lawmakers.

Earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced sanctions against 15 more Russian officials, including “government and military elites who are complicit in this illegal war.”

The move brings the number of Belarusian, Russian and Ukrainian individuals and entities sanctioned by Ottawa since the start of the war last month to nearly 500.

“Vladimir Putin’s blatant disregard for human life is unacceptable,” the Canadian leader said, while praising Zelensky as an inspiration.

“Democracies around the world are lucky to have you as our champion,” he said, vowing that Ukraine “can count on our unwavering and steadfast support.”

Zelensky thanked Canada for the sanctions as well as military equipment and humanitarian aid.

But, he said, “unfortunately this just did not bring an end to the war.” “We all need to do more to stop Russia, to protect Ukraine.”

“Please expand your efforts to bring back peace in our peaceful country,” he said.