Ukrainian President announced application for NATO membership under accelerated procedure, shortly after Russia"s annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

It was only minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed documents on the establishment of four new regions in Russia that Volodymyr Zelensky said “de facto Ukraine made its way” to the alliance.

“De facto, we have already made our way to NATO. De facto, we have already proven our compatibility with the Alliance’s standards. They are real for Ukraine – real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our cooperation. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the Alliance.

De facto. Today, Ukraine is submitting an application to do this de jure. According to a procedure that will fit our goal to protect our entire community. In an expedited manner. We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated membership in NATO”, - said the President of Ukraine.

He added that there will be no peace talks with Russia as long as Vladimir Putin serves as its president.