Dispatches from Ukraine.
Dispatches from Ukraine. Friday, September 30. Day 219
As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues and the war rages on, reliable sources of information are critical. Forbes gathers information and provides updates on the situation.
By Polina Rasskazova
Ukraine applies for accelerated NATO membership.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a video message, announced Ukraine is submitting an application for its accelerated ascension to the North Atlantic Alliance––NATO. “De facto, we have already completed our path to NATO, » he said. « De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliance’s standards. They are real for Ukraine––real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction. Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. Under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community. Under an accelerated procedure.”
Zelenskiy added that such an accelerated procedure is possible given the fact that this year Sweden and Finland also submitted applications for joining the Alliance without a membership action plan. “It was our state that always offered Russia to reach an agreement on coexistence on equal, honest, decent and fair terms. It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian president. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but already with another president of Russia.
