"I want to be very clear about NATO: for us and for everyone, these are the cheapest security guarantees. The cheapest for us, the cheapest for Europe, the cheapest for the United States, and indeed the cheapest for [aggressor country] Russia," noted Zelensky.
According to him, if Ukraine is not part of NATO, it will create such an Alliance within the country.
"If you are facing an army of 100.3 or 100.5 million Russians, how many troops do you need just to survive? And to defend yourself?" – the president asked.
Zelensky reminded that currently Ukraine has 110 brigades, Russia has 220, and Europe has 82.
"If [illegitimate Russian President Vladimir] Putin breaks us, he will occupy Europe. He can destroy the entire army of Europe if they are without the United States. That's why I said this is the cheapest for the United States and for Europe," explained Zelensky.
To create an army of more than 1 million soldiers in Ukraine, significant funds will be required, he noted.
"If we cannot use, for example, the NATO fleet or NATO fighter jets, we will need hundreds of fighter jets, and that is very, very expensive even without a war, just to have them," said the president.