In nod to Russia, Ukraine says no longer insisting on Nato membership
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says open to compromise on status of Donetsk, Lugansk
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said through an interpreter that he does not want to be president of a ‘country which is begging for something on its knees’. – AFP pic, March 9, 2022
KYIV – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is no longer pressing for Nato membership for Ukraine, a delicate issue that was one of Russia’s stated reasons for invading its pro-Western neighbour.
In another apparent nod aimed at placating Moscow, Zelenskyy said he is open to “compromise” on the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that President Vladimir Putin recognised as independent just before unleashing the invasion on February 24.
“I have cooled down regarding this question a long time ago after we understood that...Nato is not prepared to accept Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in an interview aired Monday night on ABC News.
“The alliance is afraid of controversial things, and confrontation with Russia,” the president added.
Referring to Nato membership, Zelenskyy said through an interpreter that he does not want to be president of a “country which is begging for something on its knees”.
Russia has said it does not want neighbouring Ukraine to join Nato, the transatlantic alliance created at the start of the Cold War to protect Europe from the Soviet Union.
In more recent years the alliance has expanded further and further east to take in former Soviet bloc countries, infuriating the Kremlin.
Russia sees Nato enlargement as a threat, as it does the military posture of these new Western allies on its doorstep.
Shortly before he shocked the world by ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Putin recognised as independent two separatist pro-Russian “republics” in eastern Ukraine – Donetsk and Lugansk – that have been at war with Kyiv since 2014.
Putin now wants Ukraine, too, to recognise them as sovereign and independent.
When ABC asked him about this Russian demand, Zelenskyy said he was open to dialogue.
“I’m talking about security guarantees,” he said.
He said these two regions “have not been recognised by anyone but Russia, these pseudo republics. But we can discuss and find a compromise on how these territories will live on.”
“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,” Zelenskyy 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.” – AFP, March 9, 2022
KYIV – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is no longer pressing for Nato membership for Ukraine, a delicate issue that was one of Russia’s stated reasons for invading its pro-Western neighbour.
In another apparent nod aimed at placating Moscow, Zelenskyy said he is open to “compromise” on the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that President Vladimir Putin recognised as independent just before unleashing the invasion on February 24.
“I have cooled down regarding this question a long time ago after we understood that...Nato is not prepared to accept Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in an interview aired Monday night on ABC News.
“The alliance is afraid of controversial things, and confrontation with Russia,” the president added.
Referring to Nato membership, Zelenskyy said through an interpreter that he does not want to be president of a “country which is begging for something on its knees”.
Russia has said it does not want neighbouring Ukraine to join Nato, the transatlantic alliance created at the start of the Cold War to protect Europe from the Soviet Union.
In more recent years the alliance has expanded further and further east to take in former Soviet bloc countries, infuriating the Kremlin.
Russia sees Nato enlargement as a threat, as it does the military posture of these new Western allies on its doorstep.
Shortly before he shocked the world by ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Putin recognised as independent two separatist pro-Russian “republics” in eastern Ukraine – Donetsk and Lugansk – that have been at war with Kyiv since 2014.
Putin now wants Ukraine, too, to recognise them as sovereign and independent.
When ABC asked him about this Russian demand, Zelenskyy said he was open to dialogue.
“I’m talking about security guarantees,” he said.
He said these two regions “have not been recognised by anyone but Russia, these pseudo republics. But we can discuss and find a compromise on how these territories will live on.”
“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,” Zelenskyy 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.” – AFP, March 9, 2022
Zelenski has not been abandoned by NATO... NATO does not want military confrontation with Russia.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Ukraine is being supported by the Biggest military weapons airlift in history, after the the 199o Gulf War preparation airlift, bigger than The 1973 airlift that helped turn the tide in Israel against the combined Arab Armies.
Kill more Russian Invaders.
Wakakakaka…
DeleteWhat a flatulence in a wet wet dream.
The Ukrainian airspace is now controlled by the Russko bear!
What kind of Biggest military weapons airlift in history r u farting about?
Oooop… in that wet dream AGAIN!
Those dreamy weapons that the nationalist Ukrainians r craving for R still hot airs. Every NATO members promise to send heavy weapons. So far, how many of those r actually been used in the Ukrainian battle grounds?
None! Zilch! Still on the way. The nationalist Ukrainians r fighting with archaic weaponries they inherited from the Summer era?
Mfer, if foul gaseous can kill, u would be the top champion.