Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his military has effectively become "NATO's second-strongest army," a view he believes is recognized by NATO leaders. He told journalists "NATO needs us," and argued Ukraine has proven it can stand up to Russia while defending against the invasion. Zelensky added that Ukraine's NATO bid is currently on hold following U.S. mediation efforts, and warned that Vladimir Putin aims to remain in power with ambitions to restore Soviet-style influence—an objective Zelensky says cannot succeed without Ukraine.
Zelensky: Ukraine Is Effectively NATO's 'Second-Strongest Army'
FILE PHOTO - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conferance during the Nordic-Baltic summit in Tallinn. (is associated with: «Zelensky: Ukraine effectively has 'NATO's second-strongest army'») Saara Peltola/Lehtikuva/dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described Ukraine's armed forces as effectively being "NATO's second-strongest army," a claim he said is already acknowledged by leaders across the alliance.
Speaking to journalists, Zelensky told the Hromadske website:
"NATO needs us."
He argued that Ukraine's military has demonstrated the ability to stand up to the Russian armed forces — long considered one of the world's most powerful militaries — while defending the country from Moscow's invasion.
Ukraine remains outside NATO; the alliance's most powerful military is that of the United States. Moscow has publicly stated that one of its war aims is to prevent Kyiv's accession to the Western military alliance, a goal tied to wider regional ambitions cited by the Kremlin.
Zelensky also said that, after attempts by the United States to mediate, Ukraine's bid to join NATO has been placed on hold for the time being.
Addressing Russian leadership directly, he claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to remain in power and seeks to restore something like the Soviet Union — a project Zelensky said would be impossible without control over Ukraine. "Without Ukraine, that is impossible, and that is why it is so difficult for us, dear Ukrainians," he added.
Source: Hromadske
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