President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that to ensure Ukraine’s future security in a non-NATO environment, the country will need a powerful missile weapons package, a large army, as well as resources and investments to maintain its defense on the border with Russia.
He said this in an interview with NBC News, Ukrinform reports.
“The strong package of missiles like prevention step that we will not use before any (potential – ed.) invasion. We will not use them, but if they (the Russians – ed.) do, we will do it quickly,” Zelensky emphasized.
He noted that the deployment of missiles on Ukrainian territory would protect Ukraine from repeating the scenario when Russians invaded and occupied part of Ukrainian land before the West began to supply serious weapons.
In addition, he said, Ukraine will need a powerful army.
“If we are not in NATO, then, as I said, (the army should be – ed.) comparable with Russians,” the President of Ukraine said.
Zelensky clarified that the country would require at least one million people, hundreds of aircraft and a significant quantity of other weaponry, which would need to be provided as Western aid to deter further Russian aggression. He therefore stated that Ukraine’s membership of NATO would be beneficial for all parties, both for Ukraine and for Western countries.
In any case, Zelensky emphasized, Russia must realize that it will be confronted by a strong army, and this will be a powerful psychological signal to Putin.
In addition, to maintain such an army, the funds and investments will be needed, Zelensky continued. In this context, he noted that both the United States and European countries can invest in Ukraine in gas and mineral production, as well as in other areas of the economy.
As reported by Ukrinform, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that military assistance from the United States is crucial for Ukraine, and it will be difficult for Ukraine to survive without this support.
2025-02-16 21:34:00 ,
