He spoke on Friday before journalists. His remarks, placed under embargo until Saturday, were published on Saturday, November 14, by his office.
Volodymyr Zelensky reported that it was the first time such a question had been raised. He judged this prospect dangerous.
He specified that he did not have the right to decide alone."True security for Europe is the EU and NATO,"he added.
He spoke on Friday before journalists. His remarks, placed under embargo until Saturday, were published on Saturday, November 14, by his office.
Volodymyr Zelensky reported that it was the first time such a question had been raised. He judged this prospect dangerous.
He said he was open to organizing a referendum, but not without conditions. If Ukraine received specific security guarantees from NATO and the European Union, a strong and well-funded Ukrainian army, as well as funds for reconstruction, he would put the question to a vote.
He specified that he did not have the right to decide alone."True security for Europe is the EU and NATO,"he added.
Dig deeper
Who is Volodymyr Zelensky?
He has been the president of Ukraine since 2019 and the head of state at war with Russia, and thus the interlocutor who can propose a vote but cannot alone settle a question of national security.
What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance of collective defense; Zelensky sees it, along with the European Union, as the framework for possible security guarantees for Ukraine.
Which Union is he talking about?
He means the European Union, a political and economic union of which Ukraine is a candidate, and which he presents as a pillar of the continent's security on a par with NATO.
Why do these conditions matter?
Without guarantees from NATO and the EU, a strong Ukrainian army and reconstruction funds, he considers it dangerous to put the question to a referendum.
Why can't he decide alone?
As president, he can open the debate, but a question so weighty for Ukraine's sovereignty and security falls within a broader framework than his decision alone.