Nine Nato members urge support for Ukraine after annexation

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, centre, holds an application for ‘accelerated accession to Nato’ in Kyiv (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

The heads of nine European Nato members have issued a joint statement backing a path to membership for Ukraine in the US-led security alliance, and calling on all 30 Nato nations to ramp up military aid for Kyiv.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise move on Friday to apply for fast-track Nato membership, in response to Russia’s annexation of four regions of Ukraine.