On June 2 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on condition of anonymity that it would be impossible for Ukraine to join NATO while Russia was waging a war on his country.
The military alliance has pressed for Zelenskyy to join the military alliance, but allies are divided over how fast it should happen. Western governments are worried about a potential war with Russia, which could worsen relations between the United States and NATO.
In a joint briefing in the capital of Ukraine with Estonian President Alar Karis, Karis said the alliance was still the best security guarantee for Kyiv.
We are adequate people, and understand that we will not pull any NATO country into a war, Zelenskyy said.
And that is why we understand that we won't be a member of NATO while this war is ongoing. On Friday, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned against any peace initiatives that could legitimise Russia's seizure of Ukrainian territory, saying a just and durable peace effort should address accountability and reconstruction.
As part of a highlights speech that lays out Washington's view of Russian's invasion of Ukraine, Blinken said over the coming weeks and months, some countries were likely to call for a ceasefire.
But Blinken said for any peace effort to be lasting it requires Ukraine's full participation and assent and should support Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery, with Moscow paying its share.