US senator Graham pledges to push for Ukraine's NATO inclusion

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) – US Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican, has pledged to work with both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to advance a resolution urging the inclusion of Ukraine into NATO.

"I will be working with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to pass a resolution urging the admission of Ukraine into NATO," said Graham on Twitter.

"The best way to prevent future wars and promote peace is to create security guarantees that make aggressor nations think twice before starting wars," he said.

Ukraine's NATO membership is vital to the future security of Europe and the world, Graham said, adding: "I believe there is an overwhelming majority of Senators supporting this proposition."

Ahead of a key NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier in the day an invitation to his country for membership would demonstrate the alliance's "courage and strength."

"All that is needed is an invitation. We understand that there may be difficulties with this or that wording in order to get the united support of all partners from the alliance … However, I believe that this is such a moment - a great chance to show courage and strength of the entire alliance," Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference late Thursday with his Czech counterpart Petr Pavel during an official visit to Prague.