In an effort to ease out the tension between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country is no longer interested in seeking NATO membership. 

It may be noted that Russia was against any move of Ukraine to seek membership in NATO, and is believed to be one of the reasons behind Russia declaring war against Ukraine.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement would help the ongoing peace talk between Russia and Ukraine to a ceasefire. The fourth round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held in Turkey on Thursday. 

Besides indicating that Ukraine will not continue its efforts to seek membership,  Zelensky has also extended an olive branch by stating that he is ready to part away with two of the provinces of Ukraine which have been supporting Russia.  Putin has already declared the provinces as independent nations.

Meanwhile, Zelensky has told an international media that since NATO is not ready to accept the demand of his country, therefore, he has no will to further accelerate the matter of seeking membership.

He had added that the alliance partners of NATO want to avoid being part of any controversial matter,  mainly facing the anger of Russia.

Stating more on membership, Zelensky declared that he does wish to be identified as president of a country who is kneeling before somebody to seek membership.

Russia has long ago made it categorically clear that it does want to see Ukraine becoming part of NATO, the alliance which was formed at the start of the Cold War to protect Europe from the Soviet Union.

Over the years, the allied partners have expanded their relations to the east, bringing a former Soviet connected nation in its fold which has not gone down well with Russia.

Russia feels that the expansion of NATO will create more problems for it.

While opposing the Ukraine move to become part of NATO,  Putin ordered his forces to attack Ukraine as he recognised two provinces supporting Russia as "republics" in eastern Ukraine - Donetsk and Lugansk.

Putin now wants Ukraine, too, to recognise them as sovereign and independent.