Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready for talks on the status of the separatist areas in the east of the country and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea annexed by Russia.
On Monday evening (local time), Zelenskyy made it clear on US broadcaster ABC that he would not respond to demands from Moscow to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed “People’s Republics” and Russian rule over Crimea. “I’m ready for a dialogue. But we are not ready for surrender.”
The Ukrainian President also said: “We can discuss and find a compromise on how these areas can continue.” It is important to pay attention to how the people there who want to be part of Ukraine are doing. It is a much more complicated issue than just recognition. “This is another ultimatum and we do not recognize ultimatums.”
Zelenskyi again called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct negotiations. “What President Putin needs to do is start a conversation, a dialogue, instead of continuing to live in an information bubble without oxygen.” Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russia has air sovereignty over Ukraine. He again called for a no-fly zone. It’s about preventing rocket fire on civilian facilities.
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With regard to NATO, Selenskjy was disappointed. The alliance is not ready to accept Ukraine as a member. “The alliance is afraid of controversial issues and a dispute with Russia.” He indicated that he would not join. Ukraine is not a country that begs for something on its knees.
Since the constitution was changed in 2019, joining NATO has been the declared goal of the former Soviet republic.