Zelenskyy reacts to Putin's demand to reduce Ukrainian forces

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that even after receiving an invitation to join NATO, Ukraine will not reduce the size of its security and defense forces. He added that a strong army will guarantee future security for the country.

Zelenskyy said this at a meeting with journalists in Brussels, according to Yevropeiska Pravda.

What security guarantees for Ukraine is the government currently considering?

The President emphasized that the best security guarantee for Ukraine is full membership in the Alliance. At the same time, he is considering other options for guarantees, such as sanctions and financial mechanisms. However, Zelenskyy emphasized that this is not enough to guarantee that Russia will not return to war.

"The best thing is a strong army, a large army. The largest army in Europe. We simply have no right to limit the strength of our army, in any case, even on the way to NATO. As long as we are not in NATO, we are at risk," Zelenskyy said.

In addition, according to the president, a strong economy should be part of the guarantees. He noted Ukraine's success in securing financial support from international partners, including covering the budget deficit during the war. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine already has a plan to finance the budget deficit for 2025.

To recap, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also answered whether foreign peacekeepers could be deployed in Ukraine.

In addition, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with the NATO Secretary General the possibility of supplying air defense equipment to Ukraine.