Zelensky says NATO not ready to admit Ukraine

KYIV. Feb 25 (Interfax) - The leaders of European countries are not ready to provide any certainty to Ukraine regarding its possible admission to NATO, and Ukraine is not afraid of speaking of its neutral status, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"We are left alone in defense of our state. [...] Who is ready to guarantee Ukraine's accession to NATO? Honestly, everyone is afraid," Zelensky said in a video address in the early hours of Friday.

"Russia allegedly wants to talk about Ukraine's neutral status," he said.

"I tell all the partners of our state: now is an important moment - the fate of our country is being decided. I ask them: are you with us? They answer that they are with us. But they are not ready to take us to the alliance," Zelensky said.