(Bloomberg) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested he would conform to a ceasefire with Russia that may see a part of his country occupied in exchange for NATO security guarantees on the remainder, within the strongest signal yet that the Ukrainian leader is open to ending the conflict with war without regaining all of the territory.
Zelensky expressed this in a Friday interview with Sky News when asked about a scenario wherein NATO’s security guarantees would only cover the territory controlled by Kiev.
“If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we should take the territory of Ukraine under our control under NATO’s umbrella. That’s what we need to do quickly,” Zelensky said in the interview, according to a Sky News translation. “And then Ukraine will be able to diplomatically regain the other part of its territory.”
He added that no country had made such a proposal to Ukraine and that it would be difficult to provide NATO protection to only part of the country. NATO members have opposed Ukraine’s desire to join the military alliance in the near future because providing mutual defense would require them to commit forces to repel any future attacks.
Previously: Putin’s offer to talk to Trump is unlikely to end the fighting any time soon
The nearly three-year war is heading to a turning point next year, with Russian troops steadily advancing from the east and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump vowing to end hostilities.
The United States and Ukraine have long insisted that Russia would be unable to maintain forces in the country, a position that is more difficult to achieve in the short term.
President Joe Biden has increased support in the final weeks of his administration, including: enabled Kiev to use American weapons deep inside Russia.
These moves are intended to strengthen Zelensky’s hand in the ceasefire talks that Trump is expected to pursue.
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