President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine has applied for NATO membership under an accelerated procedure.

"De facto, we have already worked our way to NATO. De facto, we have already proven our compatibility with the standards of the Alliance. They are real for Ukraine; real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction. We trust each other, we help each other and we protect each other. This is what the Alliance is. De facto," reads President Zelenskyy's statement on social media

Today Ukraine is submitting an application to do this de jure. Following a procedure which will correspond to our significance and will help us protect our community. At an accelerated rate.

We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated NATO membership."

Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO is enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution. In addition, it is supported by the vast majority of Ukrainians.

At the same time, the process of Ukraine's accession to NATO was delayed due to the occupation of part of the Ukrainian territory by Russia, although experts believe that there are alternative ways for Kyiv's integration into the Alliance.