Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stirs controversy by suggesting nuclear options for Ukraine’s security, as NATO membership faces delays amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
At a Glance
- Zelenskyy proposes nuclear armament if NATO membership is delayed
- Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal in 1994 for security assurances
- U.S. unlikely to support Ukraine regaining nuclear weapons
- NATO urges increased support for Ukraine to deter Russian aggression
- Initial peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have begun
Zelenskyy’s Nuclear Proposal
As President Trump prepares new peace talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Ukraine should be given nuclear weapons if NATO membership continues to be delayed. This proposal comes as Ukraine faces ongoing conflict with Russia and seeks stronger security guarantees.
“Which support package? Which missiles? Will we be given nuclear weapons? Then let them give us nuclear weapons,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy’s statement highlights the frustration felt by Ukraine as it continues to face Russian aggression. The Ukrainian leader has criticized the country’s 1990s decision to give up its nuclear arsenal, referring to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum which provided security assurances from Russia, the UK, and the US in exchange for disarmament.
Ukraine applied to join NATO at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 but has not received an official invitation – and is unlikely to get that invitation. Several countries, including the United States, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia, have shown resistance to Ukraine’s NATO entry despite an allied pledge that Kyiv’s path to membership is “irreversible.”
“Putin invaded because he was afraid that we would become NATO members. Well, we are not NATO members. Get out of our land,” Zelenskyy remarked.
The ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions have complicated Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, leaving the country in a precarious security situation. Zelenskyy’s nuclear proposal appears to be a desperate attempt to secure stronger deterrents against future Russian aggression.
U.S. Response and Peace Talks
The likelihood of Ukraine regaining nuclear weapons with U.S. support is extremely low, according to retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg. The U.S. administration has shown no inclination to reverse Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament.
“The chance of them getting their nuclear weapons back is somewhere between slim and none,” Kellogg said.
Despite the nuclear debate, efforts for peace continue. Initial talks between Ukraine and Russia have begun, with both sides acknowledging the need for concessions to reach a peace deal. Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, although no meeting has been scheduled yet.
NATO’s Stance and Future Implications
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged increased support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to bolster NATO deterrence against Russia and its allies. Rutte warned that a Russian victory would be a costly geopolitical mistake for NATO allies.
“If we get a bad deal, it would only mean that we will see the President of Russia high-fiving with the leaders of North Korea, Iran and China, and we cannot accept that,” Rutte said.
As the situation unfolds, NATO member states, including the UK and Germany, are being called upon to increase their defense spending. The broader geopolitical implications of Ukraine’s security dilemma continue to shape discussions within NATO and beyond, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
