KYIV/MOSCOW/BRUSSELS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has largely conceded that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO, according to US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East.
Zelensky and Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, have "largely conceded that they are not going to be a member of NATO," Steven Witkoff said on Friday in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson.
"If there's going to be a peace deal, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO. I think that's largely accepted," said Witkoff.
Without giving details, the envoy also claimed that the Ukrainian leadership has agreed to hold elections.
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"Do you think there will be elections in Ukraine?" Carlson asked. "Yes. There will be. They've agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine," the envoy responded.
A presidential election was expected to be held in 2024 but was postponed due to the country's martial law, which has been in effect since the start of the ongoing conflict with Russia. A month ago, Trump labeled Zelensky a "Dictator without Elections”.
Kursk gas station blast
Also on Friday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces have "deliberately blown up the Sudzha gas metering station" as they retreated from Russia's western Kursk region.
The facility, located several hundred meters from the Ukrainian border, has been under Ukrainian control since August 2024, the ministry said. Russia has recently regained control over Sudzha.
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced Friday that it has launched a criminal investigation into the explosion at the station. The committee said that Ukrainian servicemen deliberately detonated the facility on Thursday, causing significant damage.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook that Russia's claims regarding Ukraine's shelling of the station are "groundless", and the station has been "repeatedly shelled by the Russians themselves".
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The station was a major entry point for Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine until it ceased operations on Jan 1, following the expiration of a five-year transportation agreement.
Ukraine ‘coalition’ meeting in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that Paris will host a summit of the "coalition of the willing" supporting Ukraine on Mar 27 to discuss further military aid for Kyiv.
Speaking to reporters following a European Union summit in Brussels, Macron said the meeting will focus on short-term military support for Ukrainian forces and explore how European countries can provide long-term security guarantees to help Ukraine sustain its defense.
"The entire process will be finalized in the next few days," Macron said.
President Zelensky and leaders from multiple European countries are expected to attend the Paris summit.
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The EU summit, originally scheduled for two days, was cut short and concluded Thursday after just one day at the bloc's headquarters in Brussels. Leaders discussed key issues including European competitiveness, the situation in Ukraine, defense cooperation and developments in the Middle East.
Zelensky addressed EU leaders via video on Thursday, urging European Union leaders to promptly approve a package of at least 5 billion euros ($5.45 billion) for artillery shells and continued pressure on Russia.
