Reports from NATO meetings, statements from NATO officials or member countries

Zelensky Tells Trump Ukraine Must Choose Between Nuclear Weapons or NATO Membership

Oct 17, 2024, 02:59 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Ukraine faces two choices for ensuring its defense: either acquiring nuclear weapons or joining NATO. Speaking at the European Council summit in Brussels, Zelensky said he conveyed this message to former U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in September, stating, 'Either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons or join NATO.' Zelensky noted that Trump considered his arguments 'fair.' He emphasized that Ukraine prefers NATO membership over pursuing nuclear weapons, highlighting that NATO countries are not at war and 'all people are alive in NATO countries.' Zelensky referenced Ukraine's unique position as the only country to have relinquished nuclear weapons under the Budapest Memorandum, underscoring the urgency to secure Ukraine's sovereignty amid ongoing tensions with Russia.