Zelensky says Ukraine's neutrality won't be enshrined in Constitution amid push from Russia

Detailed summary

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was not currently part of NATO but would not make neutrality a constitutional requirement. | World News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled out amending the country's Constitution to establish a neutral status, arguing that such a move would fail to provide Ukraine with lasting security guarantees.

Zelenskyy told Interfax on Friday that Ukraine was not currently part of NATO but would not make neutrality a constitutional requirement. He also reiterated that Kyiv intended to join the European Union (EU), adding that its membership plans had been made clear at every level.

"If Putin expects Ukraine to have its neutrality enshrined, that won't happen. We're not in NATO right now anyway. If neutrality generally means that we're not in NATO, then we're already in that status. So what will ensure our long-term security? If they assume we won't be in the EU, well, we actually will be – that's been made clear at every level. For now, Ukraine is not a member of any alliance. And enshrining neutrality means you're amending your country's Constitution, and Ukraine won't go down that path," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday, according to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.

The Ukrainian president also described discussions about a new European security framework before the end of the war as dangerous.

He said the US had raised the possibility of developing a different security arrangement for Europe and the rest of the world after the conflict. However, Zelenskyy stressed that the issue should not become the central focus of ongoing negotiations.

He pointed to what he described as concerning remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin about changing borders in Europe, saying they reflected Moscow's broader plans to reshape the continent's security arrangements.

"My concerns are underscored and confirmed by the dangerous signals Putin sent yesterday regarding borders and so on. The fact that Putin wants to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am confident that this is part of his concept for revising security guarantees in Europe.

Zelensky suggested that Russia could…

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