KYIV: Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told Ukraine’s diplomats the country will have to fight to persuade allies to allow it to take up Nato membership, but has described the goal as “achievable” as it searches for security guarantees to protect it from Russia.

Kyiv says membership in the transatlantic military alliance, or an equivalent form of security guarantee, would be crucial to any peace plan to ensure Russia does not attack again. Nato has said Ukraine will join it one day, but has not suggested when or issued an invitation.

“We all understand that Ukraine’s invitation to Nato and membership in the alliance can only be a political decision,” Zelenskyy told diplomats in Kyiv on Sunday, adding that the goal was “achievable only if we fight for this decision at all necessary levels”.