Ukraine's Zelensky says he has 'cooled' on joining NATO and is open to discussions about control of Russian-backed separatist regions

Zelensky's comments about NATO and the future status of the separatist regions are possible openings for peace talks with Russia.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC News that he has "cooled down" about Ukraine's bid to join NATO.
• "Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine," Zelensky said. 
• Zelensky added, "The alliance is afraid of controversial things and confrontation with Russia."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he has "cooled down" about Ukraine's bid to join NATO amid Russia's war with the eastern European country. 

"Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine," Zelensky told ABC News in an exclusive interview published on Tuesday.

Zelensky added, "The alliance is afraid of controversial things and confrontation with Russia. I never wanted to be a country which is begging [for] something on its knees. We are not going to be that country and I don't want to be that president."

Ukraine's pursuit of NATO membership has been cited by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a justification for his decision to invade Ukraine. 

In 2008, Ukraine applied to begin a NATO Membership Action Plan and the alliance welcomed Ukraine's bid, pledging that the country would eventually become a member, though declining to offer a specific timeline.

In addition to his NATO comments, Zelensky said on Tuesday that he is open to discussions about the control of Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, possible openings to peace talks with Russia.

"It is important to me how people who want to be part of Ukraine will live there. I am interested in the opinion of those who see themselves as citizens of the Russian Federation. However, we must discuss this issue," Zelensky said. 

Before Putin launched Russia's war on Ukraine, Putin signed a decree recognizing the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the eastern province of Donbas as independent states. Putin demanded guarantees that Ukraine would not join NATO in the run-up to his invasion, a demand which the alliance's leaders repeatedly rejected. 

"The people who elected me are not ready to surrender, we are not ready for ultimatums," Zelensky said. "But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas."

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.