Zelensky Signals Openness to Accepting Putin's Terms On Ending War

VIDEO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounces unkept "promises" by the West, saying that the responsibility for the casualties from Russia's ongoing invasion "rests also on those who were not capable to take a decision in the West for 13 days" pic.twitter.com/qDwuaq3I2f

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 8, 2022

⚡️Russia claims it will stop the war immediately if Ukraine agrees to:

- cease military action
- change constitution to enshrine neutrality
- recognize Crimea as Russian territory
- recognize the Russian-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 7, 2022

#Zelensky "will have to pay a heavy price, the sources said. Assumptions are that he will be forced to give up the contested Donbas region, officially recognize the pro-Russian dissidents in Ukraine, pledge that Ukraine will not join NATO, shrink his army and declare neutrality."

— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) March 8, 2022

#Russian demands to #Zelenskyy were "deemed "difficult" but not "impossible," the sources said. It is worse than what Zelensky would have gotten before the invasion but "the gaps between the sides are not great."" #Ukraine️ #RussiaUkraineWar #Russia #UkraineWar #UkraineRussia

— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) March 8, 2022

In his ABC interview, "Zelenskyy says "compromise" is possible on Putin's demands he cede Crimea/DPR/LPR & not join NATO: "I've cooled down regarding this question a long time ago after we understood that NATO isn't prepared to accept Ukraine."" #Ukraine https://t.co/Dbzv4qWAvi

— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) March 8, 2022

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 neighbor.

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 recognized 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 something on its knees.”

Before he became President, Ukraine's Zelensky tried his hand at many things, including acting, comedy and, erm, dancing. pic.twitter.com/76vTsXOApB

— TraditionalBritain (@TradBritGroup) March 1, 2022