Zelensky: 'Ukraine will not join NATO!' Russia-Ukraine on the verge of peace agreement

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stated that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO, a very important decision at a time when Kiev is facing Russian attacks that want to establish control over the capital.

From the beginning, Ukraine's non-membership in NATO has been a non-negotiable condition of Russia. "It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of NATO; "We understand that," said the president. "For years we have heard about the seemingly open door, but we have already heard that we will not enter there and these are true and must be accepted."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today (Wednesday, March 16) that talks are under way with Kiev that Ukraine should receive the status of a neutral state, a status comparable to Austria and Sweden.

"This is an option that is being discussed now and can be considered a compromise," Peskov told reporters, raising hopes that Europe's biggest war since World War II would end.

Russia's chief negotiator in talks with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, said neutral status like that of Austria or Sweden would mean that Ukraine would be able to maintain its military but would not be allowed to host foreign bases or troops.

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian news site RBC that discussions on a possible peace deal with Ukraine were nearing completion as Kiev reportedly agreed to discuss neutrality.

"Neutral status is now being seriously discussed along with, of course, security guarantees," Lavrov said.

He added that other issues were being discussed, including the recognition of the Crimean peninsula as Russian territory, annexed illegally by Russia in 2014, as well as the recognition of the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk.