By Aleksandar Vasovic

KYIV (Reuters – The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zeleskiy stated Tuesday that Russia should stop bombarding Ukrainian cities in order to have meaningful negotiations on a ceasefire. This was after a week of negotiations which yielded little progress.

Zelenskiy spoke in interview inside a highly guarded government compound. Zelenskiy asked NATO members for a no fly zone. This would stop Russian aircraft, but it was only a precautionary measure. It wasn’t meant to force the alliance into conflict with Russia.

Zelenskiy refused to evacuate the Ukrainian capital during the Russian advance, and also stated that Ukraine will demand legal binding security guarantees from NATO if it closes the door to Ukraine’s potential membership.

Zelenskiy, who was describing his requirements for future talks with Russia in a joint interview, told CNN and Reuters: “It is necessary to at minimum stop bombing people. Just stop the bombing, and then sit at the negotiating tables.”

While he was still speaking, news broke that a Russian-made missile had crashed into a Ukrainian TV tower. On Tuesday night, missiles struck Kharkiv’s eastern heart.

NATO member countries have sent weapons to Ukraine in order to withstand an invasion by Russian troops last week. The West, however, has imposed severe sanctions against Russia.

Zelenskiy urged international leaders to take action, and even establish a no fly zone. However, he said that U.S. president Joe Biden had told him personally that it was not the right time for such an initiative.

Ukraine has requested NATO to speed up its entry. Russia strongly opposes this move and it is often cited as one Moscow’s motivations for starting its campaign.

Zelenskiy stated that if their partners aren’t ready to accept Ukraine in NATO…Russia doesn’t want Ukraine to join NATO, they should create common security guarantees to Ukraine.

“This is because we protect our territory, our borders, our special relationships with all of our neighbours, we are totally safe and secure, and they are legally guarantors for our security.”

Zelenskiy was 44 years old and had not shaved. The interview took place at a compound that is heavily guarded and controlled by military personnel.