* President Zelensky said today it is 'a truth that must be recognised' that there is no path into NATO for Ukraine
* Vladimir Putin had demanded ahead of the invasion that Ukraine be banned from joining the Western alliance
* Remarks further open the door to some kind of peace deal, after negotiators hailed 'progress' at the weekend
* Came as Kyiv mayor Vitali Kitschko told civilians to brace for 36 hours of shelling and put a curfew in place
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine must accept it will not become a member of NATO - a statement that will be music to the ears of Vladimir Putin and could pave the way for some kind of peace deal between the warring nations.
Zelensky, who has become a symbol of resistance to Russia's onslaught over the last 20 days, said today that 'Ukraine is not a member of NATO' and that 'we have heard for years that the doors were open, but we also heard that we could not join.
It's a truth and it must be recognised.'
His statement, while making no firm commitments, will be seen as further opening the door to some kind of peace deal between Ukraine and Russia after negotiators hailed 'substantial' progress at the weekend - without giving any idea what such a deal would look like.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This acceptance that Ukraine will not be a member of NATO is the first step towards a "possible" negotiated deal to end the war.
Zelensky Says Ukraine Must Admit It Won't Join NATO And Must 'Rely On Themselves And Our Partners Who Help Us'
Volodymyr Zelensky Says Ukraine Won't Join NATO -- Newsweek
Zelensky concedes Ukraine unlikely to join NATO, seeks security guarantees -- The Hill
Ukrainian president questions NATO's commitment to mutual defence article -- Reuters