Ready to discuss not joining NATO in exchange for ceasefire: Ukraine President

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday he's prepared to discuss a commitment from Ukraine not to seek NATO membership in exchange for a cease-fire, the withdrawal of Russian troops and a guarantee of Ukraine's security.

Outlining what he called "a compromise for everyone", he made clear the first step had to be a halt to the fighting.

"First of all a ceasefire should be declared, troops should be withdrawn, presidents should meet and agree on troop withdrawals and security guarantees," Zelenskyy said in an interview with Ukrainian media.

"It's possible to find a compromise here," he stated.

He also repeated his call for direct talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Unless he meets with Putin, it is impossible to understand whether Russia even wants to stop the war, Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said that once there's a ceasefire and steps have been taken to provide security guarantees, Ukraine will be ready to discuss the status of Crimea and the eastern Donbas region, which has been held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014.

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