Zelenskyy sternly reacts to Wallace's remarks on Ukraine’s lack of ‘gratitude’
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rather firmly countered comments made by UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace, who said London shouldn’t be treated “like Amazon,” adding that Ukraine should be “grateful” for Western military assistance.
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During a press briefing in Vilnius on July 12, Zelenskyy stressed that backing Ukraine is well within the national interests of its partners.
“He can write to me about how he wants to be thanked, so we can fully express our gratitude...,” said the Ukrainian president.
“We can make a point to wake up (every) morning and thank him."
The president then turned to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov to communicate with Wallace directly.
"Do you have a poor relationship with the (UK) defense minister? Excellent, is it? Well, make sure to thank him...; and kindly call him today," Zelenskyy instructed Reznikov.
Earlier on July 12, Wallace suggested that Ukraine should show more appreciation to the West for the weapons already supplied, while responding to criticism from Zelenskyy about the absence of a definitive invitation and clear terms for Ukrainian NATO membership.
NATO members gathered for the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. Delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden were also present, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance.
Read also: UK to provide Ukraine with new $65 million military aid package
On July 11, NATO countries in a joint communique expressed that Ukraine would be invited to join the Alliance once all member countries agree and requisite conditions are met.
Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that Ukraine no longer needs to fulfill the Membership Action Plan, effectively saying that Kyiv will be able to ultimately join the defensive alliance on an expedited procedure.
On July 12, Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukraine would receive an invitation to join NATO post-war.
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