Ukraine is not discussing the possibility of gaining NATO membership in exchange for relinquishing territories currently under Russian occupation, although some partner countries may have such ideas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President stressed that Ukraine knows how to respond to this challenge. It is also important that partners do not hide from it. At the same time, Zelenskyy thanked all countries and leaders who condemned North Korea's joining the Russian war.

The President stressed that Ukraine knows how to respond to this challenge. It is also important that partners do not hide from it. At the same time, Zelenskyy thanked all countries and leaders who condemned North Korea's joining the Russian war.

"The best thing is NATO. During war - an invitation, absolutely open, with a strong position in any format of diplomacy. This invitation, I believe, does not depend on Russia's opinion. When some other partners are confident in this - that they are stronger than Russia, then everything will be positive for us in this sense," the head of the Ukrainian state noted.

Answering a question about whether Ukraine assumes that a discussion could begin on partial accession to NATO without the occupied territories, Zelenskyy noted that "no matter what path we take, legally no one will recognize the occupied territories as territories of other states."

The President also explained that the invitation to the Alliance is given to the country within its internationally recognized borders. According to Zelenskyy, it is a matter of principle for him to receive an invitation during a war.

"I believe that this is a strong part of the package that we are offering. This is not just an invitation, but an invitation while the war is not over. And what kind of entry, how it will happen, how much - this is the next step, diplomacy. There may be different formats," the head of state emphasized.