Statements from NATO or Ukrainian officials

Zelenskyy Proposes Ceasefire in Exchange for NATO Membership, Security Guarantees Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Nov 29, 2024, 06:33 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to negotiate a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia, contingent on Ukraine's acceptance into NATO. In a recent interview, he suggested that if NATO were to extend membership to the territories currently under Ukrainian control, it could facilitate a diplomatic resolution regarding the return of other occupied areas. Zelenskyy emphasized that this arrangement would provide necessary security guarantees to prevent further aggression from Russia, stating, "A ceasefire needs guarantees Putin won’t return; we need NATO, or he will come back." He expressed readiness to end the war even if Russia does not immediately return the territories it has seized. This proposal marks a significant shift in Ukraine's approach to the conflict, as Zelenskyy seeks to leverage NATO membership as a means to stabilize the situation.