In a recent interview with Sky News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a willingness to accept NATO membership for the territories currently under Ukraine's control as a means to potentially halt the ongoing "hot phase" of the war against Russia. Zelensky asserted that for NATO membership to be effective, it must encompass Ukraine in its entirety, including areas that are presently under Russian occupation. He stated that such an overarching offer from NATO has not been made and remains a hypothetical scenario.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of not limiting NATO's invitation to just a part of Ukraine, as doing so would imply recognition of the areas currently occupied by Russia as separate from Ukraine. He articulated the dangers of proposed ceasefires that lack protective measures against future Russian offensives, claiming that only NATO membership could ensure the necessary security guarantees.
He reflected on the prospect that if Ukraine's allies display steadfast resolve, the conflict could potentially see resolution within the next year. Discussions among Western circles around a model similar to that of West Germany during the Cold War have reportedly been occurring for over a year, yet formal propositions have yet to surface.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no signs of relinquishing territorial aspirations for Ukraine, making the idea of allowing any part of Ukraine to join NATO currently very unlikely. All indicators suggest NATO's involvement remains a distant prospect, as Ukraine continues to defend its territory amidst ongoing hostilities.
