Ukraine’s push for NATO membership had been one of the reasons that Russia had stated to justify its military operation in Ukraine
In what has been interpreted to be a move to placate Moscow, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is ready to open talks to discuss a “compromise” regarding the two pro-Russian territories recognized as independent by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin had announced these territories as independent right before launching its special military operation in Russia on February 24.
In an interview on ABC News, Zelensky said,
“I have cooled down regarding this question a long time ago after we understood that… NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine.”
The president further said,
“The alliance is afraid of controversial things, and confrontation with Russia.”
Zelensky said that he does want to appear as the president of a country that is
“begging something on its knees.”
Zelensky was referring to the NATO membership that Ukraine has been pursuing.
Details about the contention with Russia regarding the NATO membership
NATO was the transatlantic military alliance formed during the Cold War by European nations to serve as protection from the Soviet Union. Recently, NATO has expanded its domain beyond the western European nations to include countries that were formerly a part of the Soviet Union.
This move by NATO has been a bone of contention with the Kremlin for quite some time. Russia has reiterated that it is against the neighbouring country, Ukraine’s decision to join NATO. To Russia, the enlargement of the domain of NATO serves as a threat to its security.
Russia’s declaration of two pro-Russian territories as independent
While Ukraine’s push for NATO membership has been a bone for contention with Russia, the other issue that worsened the NATO membership issue was the declaration of two pro-Russian territories of eastern Ukraine known as Donetsk and Lugansk as an independent. Donetsk and Lugansk have been in a situation of war since 2014.
Russian President Ukraine demands that Kyiv recognize these two territories as independent too. When Ukrainian President Zelensky was questioned about Russia’s demand by ABC, he 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.”
Edited By: Kiran Maharana
Published By: Shramana Sengupta
