A formal invitation is point number one in Zelenskyj's new victory plan. His idea is that the status as an invited member will give the country extra diplomatic weight.
That the actual membership will take time, he is fully aware of, even though he thinks the country is already worth it.
Ukraine deserves to become the 33rd member country in NATO – one day, says Zelenskyj at a press conference together with NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
"Irreversible path"
From NATO's side, it is clear that there is still no united support for an invitation. Rutte and other representatives emphasize instead that the country's path to NATO is still "irreversible".
Ukraine is on an irreversible path towards a NATO membership and Ukraine also has significant military capability and not least a capability for innovation that can enrich the entire alliance, says Sweden's Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) on his way into Thursday's meeting with his NATO colleagues.
NATO member countries such as Hungary and Slovakia have clearly expressed skepticism about opening up for Ukraine. At the same time, it is currently also a no from the USA, at least until the presidential election in three weeks.
North Koreans?
During his quick visit to Brussels, Zelenskyj also takes the opportunity to warn about the help that Russia is said to have received from North Korea in the ongoing war.
Ukrainian intelligence reports talk about a total of up to 10,000 North Korean soldiers being able to be deployed in the battles.
I don't know how many they are, but Putin is counting on them. He is afraid of a mobilization (of Russians), says Zelenskyj at a press conference after his appearance at the EU countries' summit in Brussels on Thursday morning.
NATO's defense ministers have gathered in Brussels for a two-day meeting on Thursday and Friday. Ukraine's defense minister is also present, as well as cooperation countries Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea.
The meeting concludes with a press conference with Secretary-General Mark Rutte at 12:15 pm on Friday.
