President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, during a telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden, noted the need for a real step-by-step plan for Ukraine’s accession to NATO, which should be tied to clear calendar dates, Ukraine’s presidential press service reported on June 8.
“There can be no doubt that Ukraine is an integral part of Europe in terms of its value foundation. Now, in the new situation in Europe, we need a logistical plan for Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance in the near future. NATO is a way of maximum protection for our country,” Zelensky said.
He also stressed that “the time of statements and declarations of intent should be a thing of the past.” In addition, according to the president, Ukraine’s promotion to NATO is also an opportunity to achieve the preconditions for the establishment of a stable and lasting peace in Donbas.
Biden and Zelensky discussed the situation in Donbas, for instance, the reasons for the periodic escalation of war, the number and nature of shelling from the uncontrolled territory, as well as the real number of Russian troops concentrated near Ukrainian borders and those that were redeployed to their permanent locations.
Particular attention in the conversation was paid to the issue of finalizing the construction of Nord Stream 2. Zelensky stated that this project is not a matter of economy or business prospects, as defined by some European politicians, but is Russia’s geopolitical tool, which allows it to significantly expand the dominant influence in Europe.
Much of the presidents’ conversation was dedicated to the issue of transforming our state into a transparent and competitive system.
“The American side understands that the elimination of the destructive consensus between oligarchs and politicians in Ukraine is strongly opposed by the old elites. But the U.S. support for Ukraine in this work will be maximal,” Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak said.
According to him, “a meaningful conversation between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States of America made it possible to coordinate in detail the positions of our states and testifies to the close and partnership relations between Ukraine and the United States.”
“Holding such a concrete and trust-based conversation on the eve of the US President’s major European tour, which will include the NATO summit and the U.S.-Russia bilateral summit, indicates that Ukraine and President Zelensky provide our partners with quality expertise on current security challenges and risks in the region,” Yermak said.
