President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia attacked Ukraine simply because his country is not a member of NATO.

Zelensky said that Sunday that if his country had been admitted into the NATO alliance earlier, then Russia would not have invaded.

“If we were a NATO member, a war wouldn’t have started. I’d like to receive security guarantees for my country, for my people,” Zelensky told CNN.

According to the President, he was grateful for how member nations of NATO have been. able to help his country since the invasion began.

But Zelensky called on the US, EU and other members of NATO to quickly admit Ukraine into the organisation if they truly want his country as a member.

“If NATO members are ready to see us in the alliance, then do it immediately because people are dying on a daily basis,” he added

He continued, “But if you are not ready to preserve the lives of our people, if you just want to see us straddle two worlds if you want to see us in this dubious position where we don’t understand whether you can accept us or not — you cannot place us in this situation, you cannot force us to be in this limbo.

“I requested them personally to say directly that we are going to accept you into NATO in a year or two or five, just say it directly and clearly, or just say no.

“And the response was very clear, you’re not going to be a NATO member, but publicly, the doors will remain open,” he said.