Official NATO announcements or statements from the Ukrainian government

Zelensky Proposes Ceasefire if Unoccupied Ukraine Joins NATO, Despite Occupied Territories Remaining

Nov 29, 2024, 08:11 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that he is prepared to end the war with Russia in exchange for NATO membership for the territory currently under Ukrainian control, even if Putin doesn't immediately return occupied territories. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Zelensky indicated that a ceasefire deal could be struck if unoccupied parts of Ukraine were brought "under the NATO umbrella," allowing Ukraine to negotiate the return of the rest "in a diplomatic way" later. He acknowledged that occupied eastern regions might temporarily remain under Russian control but emphasized the urgency of securing NATO protection for the territory Ukraine still holds. "We need to do it fast," he said, adding that the NATO invitation must recognize Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. Zelensky stressed that such a move could help "stop the hot phase of the war," even if Russia doesn't immediately return seized land. He noted that "no one offered that to us," implying that the proposal requires support from NATO allies.