- I never wanted to be a country that is begging something on its knees.
- He was open to discussions about the control of Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, which could be an opening for peace talks with Russia.
- We are not ready for ultimatums.
In the midst of Russia’s war with Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared he had “cooled down” on the country’s bid to join NATO as reported by Yahoo.
NATO membership
“Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine,” Zelensky told ABC News in an exclusive interview that aired Monday night.
“I never wanted to be a country that is begging something on its knees.
We are not going to be that country, and I don’t want to be that president.”
Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership has been cited by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a justification for his decision to invade Ukraine.
In 2008, Ukraine applied to begin a NATO Membership Action Plan, and the alliance welcomed Ukraine’s bid, pledging that the country would eventually become a member while declining to offer a timeline.
Open to discussion
In addition to his NATO comments, Zelensky said on Tuesday that he was open to discussions about the control of Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, which could be an opening for peace talks with Russia.
“It is important to me how people who want to be part of Ukraine will live there.
I am interested in the opinion of those who see themselves as citizens of the Russian Federation.
However, we must discuss this issue,” Zelensky said.
Before Putin launched Russia’s war on Ukraine, he signed a decree recognizing the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbas, an eastern province in Ukraine, as independent states.
Combat power
“The people who elected me are not ready to surrender.”
We are not ready for ultimatums,” Zelensky said.
“But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas.”
Up to 4,000 Russian troops have died since Putin launched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to a senior US defence official who briefed reporters on Tuesday.
The official said Russia has also lost about 5% of its vehicles and weapons, leaving it plenty of combat power.
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Source: Yahoo
