Ukraine war: In first climb down, Zelenskyy says won't join NATO, ready for compromise

Two weeks into Russian invasion, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signalled a climb down to placate Moscow.

In an interview to ABC News, Zelenskyy has said that he is no longer pressing for NATO membership for Ukraine. This is a delicate issue that was one of Russia's stated reasons for invading Ukraine.

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Zelensky further added that he is open to "compromise" on the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that President Vladimir Putin recognized as independent just before the invasion.

Acknowledging that NATO is not ready to accept Ukraine and will not fight Russia, Zelenskyy has signalled that he is ready to let go of Kyiv's attempt to enter the 30-nation alliance.

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Russia had earlier put three conditions to stop war in Ukraine, which included no entry for Ukraine in NATO and Kyiv recognising separatist's held territories in the East.

When ABC asked him about this Russian demand, Zelensky said he was open to dialogue.

This is the first climb down from Ukraine President who has been vowing to fight to the finish and not give in to Russian aggression.

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