Germany ‘afraid of Russia reaction’ if Ukraine joins Nato, says Zelensky

Ukrainian president claims Britain, France and Italy all appear to support his ‘Victory Plan’ – but Berlin is sceptical

Germany is sceptical about allowing Ukraine to join Nato because it is “afraid” of Russia’s reaction, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The Ukrainian president said Britain, France and Italy all appeared to support his so-called “Victory Plan”, which centres around his country’s admission into the military alliance.
However, not all European allies are on board, Mr Zelensky conceded.
Germany “is sceptical … that’s a fact,” he said, but added: “I believe their stance is softer than it was before”.
“But when it comes to the invitation I’m talking about now, they are afraid of … Russia’s reaction,” Mr Zelensky added.
The Ukrainian leader toured European capitals last week in an attempt to drum up support for his proposal, which he claims has the potential to “destroy” Russia’s invasion.
However, after failing to receive full-throttled support for the plan, Mr Zelensky appeared to suggest Ukraine could seek nuclear weapons unless it was given Nato membership.
“Either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons, which will serve as protection, or it must be part of some kind of alliance. Apart from Nato, we do not know of such an effective alliance,” Mr Zelensky said last week.
The Ukrainian president admitted on Monday that the United States – a key ally – was yet to give a firm response to the proposal, which includes loosening the rules of engagement for Western-made weapons, and was unlikely to do so until after the country’s elections on Nov 5.
“It’s very clear to me that all the major partners, especially during the election period, will be afraid of Russia’s reaction,” he said.
Mr Zelensky added: “After the elections, we hope for a more positive reaction from the US … I believe that any sharp statements from the US today might be inappropriate or carry risks.”
Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, has threatened to slash American aid to Ukraine if elected.
However, Mr Zelensky insisted that he had a “good meeting” with the former president during a trip to New York in late September. “It was very positive. And I’m glad about that,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader said on Monday that Trump agreed that it was a “fair argument” for Ukraine to seek atomic weaponry when the two leaders spoke in the US.
A meeting with Kamala Harris, the presidential candidate for the Democrats, was also “very good,” he said.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Zelensky stated that the “hot phase” of the war could be halted if Moscow agreed to end attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the Black Sea.
However, the Ukrainian president also reiterated his refusal to countenance handing over territory to Russia as part of any ceasefire deal.
“We are not discussing this,” he said, following rumours that a peace proposal could include a land deal in exchange for Ukraine becoming a Nato member.
Meanwhile, the leaders of two dozen countries are preparing to meet in the Russian city of Kazan for a three-day BRICS summit in a bid to counter Western influence.
It will be the largest summit yet for the format, which was set up in 2009 with five members.
Among those attending is Xi Jinping, the leader of China, who arrived in Kazan on Tuesday.
Asked at the summit about the prospects for peace, Vladimir Putin said Moscow was not prepared to give back the regions of eastern Ukraine that it had annexed and said Moscow wanted its long-term security interests taken into account in Europe.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, said ahead of the meeting that he considered Moscow a “valued friend” and thanked Russia for its support “from the days of our struggle against apartheid”.
Also in attendance will be Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, who thanked Putin for his “strong friendship” – but also said, in reference to Ukraine, that “problems should be resolved only through peaceful means”.