Online Desk/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced directly on Friday that Ukraine is applying to join NATO in an “accelerated process”.

He said that the application was made by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Speaker and his signature.

Zelensky announced joining NATO shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed four regions of Ukraine to Russia.

Russia began its alleged military operation in Ukraine last February. One of their goals was to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.

The president of Ukraine has repeatedly said that they will not join NATO. But on Friday, Russia announced its application to join NATO if it annexed the four territories by force.

Meanwhile, the military alliance NATO has 30 countries. If Ukraine wants to become a member of the alliance, it will need the approval of all 30 countries.

Ukraine’s president says they have applied “under an accelerated process” to join NATO, though it is time-consuming. Now it remains to be seen how long this process will take or whether all countries will agree to accept Ukraine as a member of the alliance.

Sources: The Guardian, CNN, Al Jazeera