chidren as young as 9 train with guns in kyiv amid russian threats
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chidren as young as 9 train with guns in kyiv anid russian threats
America and NATO have instead outlined a number of other areas - including arms control treaties - where they are willing to negotiate, though these were dismissed by the Kremlin as secondary concerns.
Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, had suggested early Monday that the country could be 'flexible' over its goal of joining NATO if it meant avoiding a bloody conflict.
But his remark was quickly shot down by Sergii Nykyforov - spokesman for President Volodymyr Zelensky - who said joining the alliance remains the government's 'absolute priority'.
'This course is not only reflected in the Constitution, but is also the full consent of the authorities and society,' Mr Nykyforov told Reuters.
'Mr. Ambassador used the word 'flexibility'. I think it's worth giving him the opportunity to explain what exactly he had in mind'.
Boris Johnson is preparing for a whistle-stop tour of Europe this week as he leads efforts to avert a conflict and to reassure other western allies in eastern Europe that they will not be at risk if Putin attacks.
While the Prime Minister's itinerary has not been made clear, it is thought he will head to Nordic and Baltic countries.
Though the Baltics are located hundreds of miles from Ukraine, the leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have long feared that Putin may also attack them in an effort to bring them back under his control.
Any invasion of Ukraine would heighten those fears further, and almost certainly lead to calls for NATO to send more military hardware to the region.
All three nations are members of the alliance and as-such are protected by the mutual defence pledge which states that an attack on any one member will be considered an attack on all.
Elsewhere German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has come under fire for his soft-touch stance towards Russia, headed to Kiev today before a meeting in Moscow aimed at heading off war.
Scholz is expected to discuss offering more financial support to Ukraine to help in the event of an invasion, sources said, but is not expected to offer military aid.
That is despite Germany deploying some 70 troops to Lithuania today, which is part of a ramp-up of forces in the region - which is close to Russia.
The German chancellor's visits will thus be closely watched for a signs he is deviating from the message delivered by Washington and other NATO allies.
Moscow's reaction to his visit will also be scrutinised after the Kremlin used similar visits by other foreign leaders to heap scorn and humiliation on them.
America and NATO have instead outlined a number of other areas - including arms control treaties - where they are willing to negotiate, though these were dismissed by the Kremlin as secondary concerns.
Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, had suggested early Monday that the country could be 'flexible' over its goal of joining NATO if it meant avoiding a bloody conflict.
But his remark was quickly shot down by Sergii Nykyforov - spokesman for President Volodymyr Zelensky - who said joining the alliance remains the government's 'absolute priority'.
'This course is not only reflected in the Constitution, but is also the full consent of the authorities and society,' Mr Nykyforov told Reuters.
'Mr. Ambassador used the word 'flexibility'. I think it's worth giving him the opportunity to explain what exactly he had in mind'.
Boris Johnson is preparing for a whistle-stop tour of Europe this week as he leads efforts to avert a conflict and to reassure other western allies in eastern Europe that they will not be at risk if Putin attacks.
While the Prime Minister's itinerary has not been made clear, it is thought he will head to Nordic and Baltic countries.
Though the Baltics are located hundreds of miles from Ukraine, the leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have long feared that Putin may also attack them in an effort to bring them back under his control.
Any invasion of Ukraine would heighten those fears further, and almost certainly lead to calls for NATO to send more military hardware to the region.
All three nations are members of the alliance and as-such are protected by the mutual defence pledge which states that an attack on any one member will be considered an attack on all.
Elsewhere German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has come under fire for his soft-touch stance towards Russia, headed to Kiev today before a meeting in Moscow aimed at heading off war.
Scholz is expected to discuss offering more financial support to Ukraine to help in the event of an invasion, sources said, but is not expected to offer military aid.
That is despite Germany deploying some 70 troops to Lithuania today, which is part of a ramp-up of forces in the region - which is close to Russia.
The German chancellor's visits will thus be closely watched for a signs he is deviating from the message delivered by Washington and other NATO allies.
Moscow's reaction to his visit will also be scrutinised after the Kremlin used similar visits by other foreign leaders to heap scorn and humiliation on them.