Zelenskyy finally accepts Russia’s demand; Ukraine will no longer insist on NATO membership

**Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**

Kyiv (Ukraine) – Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President said that Ukraine would no longer insist on NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) membership. Pressing for NATO membership was one of the main reasons for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has been 15 days since the Russia-Ukraine war and there have been 3 rounds of negotiations between the two countries. In the third round, Russia had set some conditions. Russia had said it will end the war only if these conditions are met.

Before ordering the invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared the two Ukrainian States Donetsk and Lugansk as independent nations. Putin wants Ukraine, too, to recognise them as sovereign and independent. Zelenskyy said he is prepared to compromise on these terms as well.

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.https://t.co/ODvb3lI3nd

— WION (@WIONews) March 9, 2022

Declare Russia a terrorist state, demands Zelenskyy

Addressing the British Parliament on the night of 8th March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more help. He also put forth a demand to the Britain Parliament to declare Russia as a ’terrorist state’. In addition, he urged, strict sanctions should be imposed on Russia to keep Britain’s airspace safe.

“I’m very grateful to you Boris, please increase the pressure of sanctions”

Ukrainian President Zelensky urges PM Boris Johnson to “make sure our Ukrainian skies are safe” and recognise Russia as a “terrorist state” https://t.co/pEN7iIJiJm pic.twitter.com/dW4n3llzvY

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 8, 2022