Zelenskyy indicates readiness to potentially end Ukraine conflict by joining NATO, regardless of Russia holding seized territory | Global Updates
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a ceasefire deal that could be achieved if the Ukrainian territory he controls is placed “under the NATO umbrella” – which would allow him to later negotiate the return of the remaining territory “in a diplomatic manner.”
In an interview with Sky News’s chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, the Ukrainian president responded to media reports suggesting one of US president-elect Donald Trump’s plans to end the conflict might involve Kyiv ceding the occupied land to Russia in exchange for Ukraine joining NATO.
Mr Zelenskyy indicated that NATO membership would need to be extended to the unoccupied parts of the country in order to halt the “hot phase of the war”, provided that the NATO invitation acknowledges Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.
He acknowledged that the occupied eastern regions of the country would not be included in such a deal for the time being.
Mr Zelenskyy with Sky’s Stuart Ramsay
“To cease the hot phase of the war, we must place the territory of Ukraine under our control under the NATO umbrella,” he stated.
“This needs to be done swiftly. Then, Ukraine can regain the [occupied] territory in a diplomatic manner.”
Mr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a ceasefire to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from reclaiming more Ukrainian territory.
He stressed that NATO should “immediately” protect the part of Ukraine that remains under Kyiv’s control, stating that Ukraine strongly requires this to prevent any further incursions.
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Ukrainian servicemen during military drills. Pic: Reuters
‘We have to work with the new president’
In his first interview with British media since Mr Trump’s election win, Mr Zelenskyy expressed the need to collaborate with the president-elect in order to have the strongest support.
“I want to directly engage with him because there are different voices surrounding him. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain clear communication,” he mentioned.
“Disrupting our communication will not be beneficial and will only lead to destruction. We need to establish a new model. I intend to share my ideas with him and listen to his perspective.”
Regarding a conversation with Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy confirmed they had talked in September while he was in New York, describing it as a positive and constructive exchange. He highlighted the importance of further meetings to progress.
Russian servicemen during combat training
A Russian serviceman aims a howitzer towards Ukrainian positions in the Kursk border region of Russia. Pics: Russian Defence Ministry/AP
This interview marks the first instance where Mr Zelenskyy hinted at a ceasefire agreement involving Russian control of Ukrainian territory.
Throughout the conflict, Mr Zelenskyy never indicated willingness to cede any occupied Ukrainian land to Russia – including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in February 2014.
A destroyed tank in Russian-occupied Ukraine. Pic: Reuters
He reiterated that such actions are not permitted under the Ukrainian constitution and would only be feasible if the people in those regions decide to secede.
Previously, he had suggested during an interview with Le Monde in July this year that the territories could join Russia through a democratic referendum if they choose to do so.
However, he emphasized that Kyiv would need to regain control of the territory to conduct such a vote.
Ukrainian servicemen examine a Russian cruise missile shot down in Kyiv. Pic: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP
About a fifth of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian control.
In September 2022, Russia unilaterally declared the annexation of areas in and around the Ukrainian oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia following referendums that were not recognized internationally.
Mr Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that the territory belongs to Ukraine, that Russia’s occupation is illegal, and that Kyiv will not give up any territory to reach a peace agreement.
Earlier this year, he presented a “victory plan” to the Ukrainian parliament, which included a refusal to cede Ukrainian territory and sovereignty.
However, Moscow has indicated that it will not relinquish any occupied land in any peace negotiations and has argued that Kyiv must cede territory as a precondition for talks.
Despite Ukraine’s defense of its territory and attempts to counter-attack since the conflict began over 1,000 days ago, Kyiv’s forces have faced challenges in recent months, with Russia making gradual advances in the eastern regions of the country.
