Zelensky Calls on NATO to Launch “Preemptive Strikes” Against Russia

Speaking at the Lowy Institute today, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls on NATO to launch “preemptive strikes” against Russia to “eliminate the possibility” of a Russian nuclear strike.

Zelenskyy’s press secretary, Serhii Nikiforov, clarified that the Ukrainian president did not call for a nuclear strike on Russia.

“The president was speaking about the period before February 24. Preventative measures should have been used at that time to prevent Russia from unleashing a war. I will remind you that the only measures discussed at that time were preventative sanctions,” he said.

TRANSCRIPT

ZELENSKYY: What should NATO do? Eliminate the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons.

But what is important, I once again appeal to the international community, as I did before February 24th: We need pre-emptive strikes, so that they’ll know what will happen to them if they use nukes. And not the other way around.

Don’t wait for Russia’s nuclear strikes, and then say, “Oh! Since you did this – take that from us!”

Reconsider the way you apply pressure to Russia.