The Ukrainian President said Russia’s ceasefire demands were becoming ‘more realistic’ and he sees hope in peace talks
The President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he does not expect his country to join North Atlantic Treaty organisation (NATO) anytime soon.
His remarks came during a virtual address to the leaders of the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force. Russia would see this as a victory sign because it has always pressed that Ukraine should not join NATO.
Speaking on the occasion, Zelenskyy said, “For years we have been hearing about how the door is supposedly open (to NATO membership) but now we hear that we cannot enter. And it is true, and it must be acknowledged.”
He further said, “I am glad that our people are beginning to understand this and rely on themselves and on our partners who assist us.”
NATO, a security alliance of 30 North American and European nations, was created in 1949 in response to the start of the Cold War. Its original purpose was to protect the West from the threat posed by the Soviet Union. Post the Cold War, many former Soviet satellite states have joined NATO.
Ukraine has rejected Russian neutrality proposal. It said it wants its security to be guaranteed by international forces.
In other developments, the situation in Mariupol has further deteriorated. Doctors and patients are being held by Russian troops against their will in the Mariupol regional intensive care hospital. The Russians have rushed 400 people from neighbouring buildings to the hospital. A total of 100 bombs were dropped from 22 aircrafts on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Around 2,500 civilians have died and 350,000 are trapped without water and electricity.
Czech has raised a sum of U.S. $ 30 million through crowdfunding to help Ukraine procure weapons. The campaign is coordinated by the Czech Government and the funds will go to the Embassy of Ukraine in Prague. The Czech has also arranged for U.S. $ 185 million worth of military supplies that can be purchased from the funds.
The U.S. and its NATO allies are already sending several surface-to-air missiles systems to Ukraine to aid in its defense. These include Soviet-era SA-8, SA-10, SA-12 and SA-14 mobile air defense systems. These systems have a lower altitude range than the S-300 system, which Ukraine has requested. However, they have a range higher than the Stinger shoulder-fired missiles previously supplied to Ukraine, giving them the capability to hit cruise missiles.
The Prime Minister of Japan – Fumio Kishida has said it will revoke the “Most Favoured Nation” (MFN) trade status, which Russia has. Being a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russia is treated as a MFN, which gives it equal access to all the WTO members’ markets and guarantees equal tariffs.
