Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday
emphasised that his country will continue to pursue its goal of NATO membership
despite Russia’s anger and some Western countries’ scepticism.

Also Read: Explained: Ukraine not joining NATO so why does Vladimir Putin worry?

Joining the North Atlantic military alliance would
assure his country of military support, Zelenskyy said at a news conference
with Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday, reported TRT World.

“Today, many journalists and many leaders are
hinting … that it is possible not to take risks, not to constantly raise the
issue of future membership in the alliance,” Zelenskyy said.

Also Read: British envoy heads to Moscow to try to ease Ukraine crisis

That is “because these risks are associated with
the reaction of the Russian Federation,” he added, but also said he
believes “we should move along the path we have chosen”.

“We understand that NATO membership would ensure
our security and our territorial integrity,” he told the media. 

Also Read: Ukraine using Bitcoin to crowdfund war against Russia: Report

The Ukraine president also told Scholz that Russia was
wielding its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a controversial energy link bypassing
Ukraine, as a “geopolitical weapon”.

“We have certain disagreements in our
assessments” of the Russia-Germany energy link, Zelenskyy said, adding
“We clearly understand that it is a geopolitical weapon.”

Also Read: What is Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Europe?

The pipeline has a major concern for Germany as its
relations with US and Ukraine gets fickle.

Russia has completed building the pipeline, which runs
under the Baltic Sea, but German regulators are yet to approve its use.

Also Read: French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Kyiv after talks with Vladimir Putin, amid Ukraine crisis

US President Joe Biden has warned that he would find a
way to “bring an end” to the project should Russia invade Ukraine.

Without mentioning Nord Stream 2 by name, Scholz said
that “no one should doubt the determination and preparedness” of
Berlin to punish Russia in case it attacks its neighbour.

Also Read: Ukraine crisis: Russia’s Vladimir Putin says talks with France President were useful, substantive

“We will act then and they will be very
far-reaching measures that will have a significant impact on Russia’s economic
development opportunities,” Scholz said.

Russia amassed 100,000 troops across the Ukraine
border which resulted in the ongoing crisis. The US warned Ukraine of a Russian
invasion. The NATO troops are also deployed on the Ukraine border. 

Also Read: No Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine, Joe Biden says

However, Moscow denies it is planning an attack,
calling the military manoeuvres exercises, but it has issued written demands
that NATO forgoes any further expansion eastwards including Ukraine. Members of
the alliance have rejected the demand.