Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that if Ukraine’s NATO membership encounters substantial delays, the country should be granted nuclear weapons.

In a recent interview, Zelenskyy stressed the necessity for robust security measures against Russian threats, asking, "What support package? What missiles? Will we be provided with nuclear weapons? If so, then give us nuclear weapons." In 1994, Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal under the Budapest Memorandum, receiving security guarantees from Russia, the UK, and the US in exchange.

However, recent Russian military actions in Ukraine have raised doubts about the reliability of these assurances.

The Kremlin reacted to Zelenskyy’s remarks, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov describing the call for nuclear weapons as "bordering on madness." He underscored the importance of adhering to a nuclear non-proliferation regime.

This situation underscores the ongoing tensions and the intricate security landscape in the region.