Ukraine wants more from NATO than the "open door" promises.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO on Wednesday to do more than promise his country that its door was open at a July summit, saying Kyiv needed "strong steps" as it tries to join the military alliance.

Kyiv requested fast-track access to NATO membership last September, seven months into Russia's war.

NATO has said it pursues an open-door policy toward Ukraine, but has not said if it would accelerate the move toward a possible annexation of Kiev.

Such a move would likely touch a nerve in Moscow, which portrays NATO as a hostile military bloc bent on encroaching on Russia's sphere of influence.

"Currently, just support for Ukraine from NATO colleagues and support in the form of a speech about open doors is not enough for Ukraine. Namely, it is not enough to motivate our state ... and our soldiers," Zelensky said in the western city of Lviv after talks with the presidents of Lithuania and Poland.

"We need steps forward. The decision will be in Vilnius and we look forward to strong steps and we count on something more than just open doors," he told a news conference alongside the leaders of the two NATO allies.

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