Zelensky gives up on joining NATO, says he does not want to lead a nation 'begging something on its knees'
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will no longer be seeking NATO membership, a delicate issue cited by Russia as a reason for invading its pro-Western neighbor.Zelensky also said he is open to "compromise" over the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that Putin recognized as independent just before the invasion, on February 24."The alliance is afraid of controversial things, and confrontation with Russia," the president added. Regarding NATO membership, Zelensky said that he did not want to be president of a "country which is begging something on its knees." Russia is opposed to neighbouring Ukraine joining NATO, the transatlantic alliance formed at the start of the Cold War to defend Europe from the Soviet Union.Putin recognized Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine, which have been at war with Kyiv since 2014, as independent "republics" shortly before he shocked the world by launching Ukraine's invasion. Now, Putin wants Ukraine to recognize them as sovereign and independent, too.When asked about Russian demands, Zelensky said he was open to dialogue."I'm talking about security guarantees," he said."What is important to me is how the people in those territories are going to live who want to be part of Ukraine, who in Ukraine will say that they want to have them in," Zelensky said. "So the question is more difficult than simply acknowledging them," the president said."This is another ultimatum and we are not prepared for ultimatums. What needs to be done is for President Putin to start talking, start the dialogue instead of living in the informational bubble without oxygen."