Zelensky open to NATO alternative if guarantees are binding

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is open to discussing alternative security guarantees instead of NATO membership, but only if they are legally binding and equivalent in strength to Alliance membership. Zelensky emphasized that the optimal security system combines Ukraine's army, the European Union, and NATO. He noted that Ukrainian forces, with their combat experience, could strengthen European militaries, while NATO membership would provide legally defined allied rights, though it requires consent from both Europe and the United States. The president stressed that Kyiv seeks a working mechanism, not formal promises, that would ensure protection against future threats. He argued that NATO membership could serve as a deterrent, so any alternative format must offer a comparable level of security.