Duda states Ukraine must urgently receive NATO invitation

Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that Ukraine should receive an invitation to join NATO as soon as possible, which would be the first step towards real security guarantees. This statement was made at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw.

Duda emphasised that the best security guarantee for Ukraine is membership in the North Atlantic Alliance and all obligations stemming from Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. 

He noted that, although Ukraine's full membership in NATO is only possible after the end of hostilities, he has actively called on NATO countries to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance since the very beginning of the Russian aggression. According to him, this would be the first step towards providing real security guarantees from the alliance.

The Polish President also noted that he had raised this issue at all meetings with representatives of NATO countries, and that day by day, more alliance leaders are leaning towards the idea of inviting Ukraine into its ranks.

In addition, Duda reported that during his meeting with Zelensky, they discussed the issue of a possible ceasefire and the measures that NATO countries could take to strengthen Ukraine's security both domestically and on the international stage.