Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a strategy aimed at potentially ending the "hot phase" of the ongoing conflict with Russia by seeking NATO membership for the regions of Ukraine currently under its control. In an extensive interview with Sky News, he stated that while he would accept NATO's offer for membership on the unoccupied territory, this would ideally need to extend to encompass all of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders first.
Zelensky underscored the challenge of negotiating territorial issues, stating that if NATO membership were granted to only a part of Ukraine, it would imply recognition of Russia's claims to the territories under its control. “You can't give an invitation to just one part of a country,” he explained, cautioning that doing so could validate Moscow's hold over the occupied areas.
While he noted that there have been various calls for established ceasefires, Zelensky warned that such agreements would be precarious without a guaranteed mechanism to deter Russia from future attacks. "Only NATO membership could offer that kind of guarantee," he asserted, emphasizing the importance of international assurance in maintaining Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Though acknowledging that NATO membership discussions aligned with the so-called West German model (which offered NATO membership to a divided country) have been circulating within Western nations, Zelensky lamented the absence of formal proposals. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no signs of retreating from his agenda to dominate Ukraine, casting doubt on the feasibility of any such NATO inclusion.
As Ukraine continues to resist ongoing attacks, Zelensky remains hopeful, asserting that the resolve of Ukraine’s allies could lead to a significant turning point in the conflict within the next year. The situation remains delicate, but the proposal marks a critical point in discussions regarding NATO's role in the unfolding crisis.
