(2 Feb 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv, Ukraine – 1 February 2024
1. Wide of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Ukraine News Director Susie Blann (right) and Ukraine correspondent Samya Kullab (left) of The Associated Press
2. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
"NATO – you know our position. We believe that NATO is not just a desirable alliance for Ukraine. We have a very pragmatic approach. I really believe that these are the cheapest security guarantees that Ukraine can get, the cheapest for everyone. I would say, it works for the three sides here – for the West, first of all for the United States, which is the leader of NATO; for Ukraine and, to be honest, for Russia. Although I do not want to think about them, about what will happen to them. But we have to think. As a president, I have to ensure that the war, the aggression does not happen again. With NATO, this is possible."
3. Close of camera
4. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
++PARTLY OVERLAID WITH SHOT 4-5++
"So NATO, I think, is the cheapest (option). And in terms of NATO politics, it will be a manifestation of strength of the United States. I think so. It will be a signal that it is not for Russia to decide who should be in NATO and who should not, but for the United States of America to decide. I think this is a great victory for Trump, for the president of the United States, I’d put it this way. And for the allies as well, but above all for him. Therefore, it seems to me that this is the winning strategy among the cheapest."
5. Close on Zelenskyy’s hands
6. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
"First of all, Marco Rubio – I would like him to come to Ukraine. It seems to me that for him it is very necessary to look at what Russia has done because he has made statements that the war set Ukraine back 100 years. I think that this statement raises questions to be frank."
7. Side view of Zelenskyy speaking
SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
"And that’s why Mr. Rubio needs to come to Ukraine, first of all, to see what Russia has done, as I said. But also to see what the Ukrainian people did, what they were able to do for the security of Ukraine and the world, as I said, and talk to these people (Ukrainians). And to be honest, talk to us."
8. Wide of reporters and Zelenskyy, shaking hands
STORYLINE:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said NATO membership is the “cheapest” option for Ukraine’s allies, and it would strengthen U.S. President Trump geopolitically.
During an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Zelenskyy said that without security guarantees from Ukraine’s allies, any deal struck with Russia would only serve as a precursor to future aggression.
Membership in the NATO alliance, a longstanding wish for Kyiv that Moscow has categorically rejected, is still Zelenskyy’s top choice.
NATO membership is the “cheapest” option for Ukraine’s allies, and it would also strengthen Trump geopolitically, Zelenskyy argued.
“I really believe that these are the cheapest security guarantees that Ukraine can get, the cheapest for everyone,” he said.
“It will be a signal that it is not for Russia to decide who should be in NATO and who should not, but for the United States of America to decide. I think this is a great victory for Trump,” he said, evidently appealing to the president’s penchant for winners and business deals.
"I think that this statement raises questions to be frank," the Ukrainian leader said.
AP video by Srdjan Nedeljjkovic
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