Ukraine could drop NATO bid to avoid war, ambassador tells BBC

Residents take part in a military exercise for civilians conducted by a far-right radical group, Right Sector, amid threat of Russian invasion in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 13, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

(Reuters) -Ukraine could drop its bid to join NATO to avoid war with Russia, the BBC quoted the country's ambassador to Britain as saying, in what would amount to a major concession to Moscow in response to the build-up of Russian troops on its borders.

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC Ukraine was willing to be "flexible" over its goal to join the Atlantic military alliance, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin has said would be a trigger for war.