Reports from Ukrainian government or international diplomatic channels

At Brussels Summit, Zelensky Says He Told Trump Ukraine Needs NATO or Nuclear Weapons

Oct 17, 2024, 01:44 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the European Council summit in Brussels on October 17, revealed that during a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump in September, he conveyed that Ukraine faces two options for its security: acquiring nuclear weapons or joining NATO. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine prefers NATO membership over nuclear armament and noted that Trump agreed with his arguments. He highlighted that NATO countries are not at war and that their populations are safe, contrasting this with Ukraine's situation. He reminded that Ukraine relinquished nuclear weapons in the past and that no nuclear-armed nation, except Ukraine, has suffered from war. Zelensky stated that Ukraine has 'all the necessary materials' to defend itself.