MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - If Ukraine decided to abandon its plans to seek NATO membership, many in Europe would sigh with relief, and this idea is gradually taking hold, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, in commenting on Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko's recent remarks suggesting that Ukraine might backtrack on its plans to join NATO if this helped avoid a full-scale war with Russia.
"I can only say that sensible people do exist. I am convinced that if this happened [if Ukraine decided not to seek NATO membership], many would sigh with relief, including in Europe," Lavrov said at a press conference following negotiations with Polish Foreign Minister and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office Zbigniew Rau.
"There are numerous politicians and political analysts in Ukraine who share these judgments and don't hesitate to voice them," he said.
"I think this idea will gradually be taking hold and [...] it shows a path that many would welcome, including in Europe," Lavrov said.
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