**Ukraine President Zelensky Addresses Trump’s Comments on NATO**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for caution in interpreting US policy following comments by President-elect Donald Trump that linked Ukraine’s NATO aspirations to Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky met with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on January 8 and argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russia’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion. He stated, “Putin realized no one would stand up for Ukraine. He thought he could destroy us, but the Ukrainian army proved him wrong.”
**Zelensky Dismisses Trump’s Comments**
Trump had criticized President Joe Biden for provoking Russia’s invasion, claiming that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership had long been a significant concern for Moscow. However, Zelensky dismissed this conclusion, referencing Ukraine’s recent access to Patriot missile systems and other NATO-standard weapons.
“Do you remember when Ukraine was told that Patriot systems are only available to NATO countries? Either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not jump to conclusions,” he said.
**Finnish Foreign Minister Backs Zelensky**
The Finnish foreign minister emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership poses no threat to other countries. “This narrative is similar to the one Russia has long used, blaming NATO and its so-called ‘enlargement’ for its own aggression,” Valtonen said.
**Reports Suggest Delaying Ukraine’s NATO Membership**
Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that Trump’s team may propose delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership by at least 20 years in exchange for Western arms supplies and European peacekeepers to monitor a potential ceasefire. However, Zelensky reiterated the need for robust security guarantees in the immediate term.
**Meeting on Enhancing NATO Presence**
The meeting, co-organized by Finland and Estonia, will focus on enhancing NATO’s presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a group of tankers allegedly used for sanction evasion and espionage.
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