Ukraine ready for ceasefire if NATO membership is granted
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in an interview with Sky News that Kyiv is prepared for a ceasefire, even without Russia giving up occupied Ukrainian territories. There is one condition: Ukraine must join NATO.
In the interview with Sky News, Zelensky was questioned about rumours suggesting that one of Donald Trump's plans to end the conflict in Ukraine involves Ukraine surrendering territories conquered by Russia. In exchange, Ukraine would be granted NATO membership.
Zelensky mentioned that an invitation to NATO would help conclude the "hot phase of the war." He highlighted his expectation for the Alliance to recognize Ukraine's borders as they were in 1991.
"If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to take under the NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control," he said. "We need to do it fast. And then on the [occupied] territory of Ukraine, Ukraine can get them back in a diplomatic way," he added.
He emphasized that the ceasefire must ensure that "Putin will not come back" in attempts to seize the rest of Ukraine's territory.
Zelensky was also asked about his relationship with Trump. "I want to work with him directly because there are different voices from people around him. And that's why we need not to [allow] anybody around to destroy our communication," he said.
The President of Ukraine stressed his desire to present "his ideas" to Trump and also expressed a wish to understand the thoughts of the U.S. president-elect.
More information will be provided shortly.
