Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, has said to BBC that they might make some concessions with the possibility of not applying for NATO membership in order to avoid war. #UkraineInvasion
He said that Ukraine is flexible to find a way out of the invasion -on NATO the Ambassador reiterated "it is something we might do, that is for sure"
.@TheresaAFallon giving analysis - clearly a gun to their head, but a major positive step.
Fallon: Putin is demanding an iron-clad guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO.
Fallon: the Ambassador's potential concession is a sign that Ukraine wants to de-escalate. Remains to see how Putin responds.
Fallon: Important to remember that German Chancellor travels to Russia tomorrow and this could be an important diplomatic moment.
Important point from Fallon: China is watching this as well, and will be monitoring how well the West can act with unity.
A constitutional amendment would be part of the concession if Ukraine was to agree to this
Such an agreement, according to the BBC Ukrainian corr, is that this would be in the minds of many Ukrainians simply an appeasement of Russian aggression. Commitments of 'neutrality' may bring Ukraine back under Russian sphere of influence and compromise Ukrainian independence.
The amendment is going to take quite a lot of time to achieve according to the corr, advising that over 66% of Ukrainian population supports NATO membership
So it may take significant political capital to achieve this. Also what is the guarantee that Russia will not find another reason to threaten Ukraine.
It is unlikely the Ambassador would have made this statement without either instruction or a firm understanding that this was on the table, however the next 72 hours are going to be absolutely critical.
Ambassador also said that more concessions by Ukraine is hard and emotional given all the concessions given so far.
Ambassador Prystaiko said it was very unlikely that they would offer this concession before Wednesday, and they may not at all.
Ukraine tonight has called for direct talks now with Russia over the military build-up on its borders.
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