Zelensky believes Ukraine should become 33rd NATO member

MOSCOW. May 4 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky reiterated his country's aspiration to join NATO.

Zelensky said that Ukraine should become the 33rd member of NATO, Kiev understands that in the times of crisis it is impossible for Ukraine to join the alliance. "But there are no obstacles to a political decision on the algorithm of our accession to NATO," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying at a press briefing following the summit between Ukraine and the Nordic countries in Helsinki on Wednesday.

Finland previously became the 31st member of NATO. Negotiations on Sweden's accession to the alliance continue.

Ukrainian media also reported that a final joint statement was signed following the summit, which was attended by the presidents of Finland and Ukraine and the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. "The Nordic NATO members will continue to support Ukraine on its path towards future membership [in the alliance]," the media quoted the statement as saying.

The Nordic countries jointly with international organizations and partners intend to participate in the rehabilitation and recovery of Ukraine and will strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to pursue reforms and meet the requirements needed to start EU accession talks as soon as possible, it also said.

Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina also addressed the Ukraine-NATO interaction. Ukrainian media reported that at a meeting with the journalists on Wednesday she said that the transformation of the Ukraine-NATO Commission format into the Ukraine-NATO Council as well as the establishment of the Ukraine-NATO Center would be discussed at the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius.