Zelenskyy Proposes Territorial Concessions for NATO Membership to End War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised a bold proposition that could potentially shift the trajectory of his country’s ongoing conflict with Russia. In a recent interview, Zelenskyy indicated for the first time that Ukraine might be willing to give up territory currently under Russian occupation in exchange for NATO membership. This statement marks a significant shift from his earlier position of not conceding any territory to Russia, including the disputed Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
Zelenskyy suggested that NATO membership could help end the "hot phase" of the war, which has dragged on for over 30 months, by securing NATO’s protection over the parts of Ukraine that remain under Ukrainian control. He emphasized, however, that NATO's invitation would need to cover Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, even if the alliance's protections were initially only extended to the territories Kyiv controls. The president stressed that NATO membership could act as a guarantee against further Russian advances, proposing a ceasefire in exchange for the alliance’s support.
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The idea, while novel, faces significant hurdles. Zelenskyy pointed out that no formal proposal has been made to Ukraine for NATO membership that would apply to only part of the country. NATO’s stance has always been that Ukraine will join the alliance, but no formal invitation has been extended, nor has a timeline been set. The alliance has not yet reached a consensus on extending membership to Ukraine, and such a decision would require the approval of all 32 NATO member countries.
Zelenskyy’s remarks also come as Ukraine steps up its diplomatic efforts to secure NATO membership, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urging the alliance to issue an invitation. Sybiha insists that NATO membership is an inevitable part of Ukraine’s future and that an invitation now would weaken one of Russia’s main arguments for continuing the war: preventing Ukraine from joining NATO. By securing a formal invitation, Ukraine hopes to show Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO membership is no longer negotiable.
However, NATO diplomats have expressed skepticism, with some pointing to a lack of consensus within the alliance. The issue has become more complex as the political landscape in the United States shifts, with President-elect Donald Trump’s statements suggesting that territorial compromises may be part of a potential peace deal.
The suggestion that Ukraine could cede territory to Russia as part of a deal for NATO membership has raised concerns among some Ukrainian citizens and officials who fear it may be seen as compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty. Nevertheless, Zelenskyy insists that this offer is a pathway to peace, with the goal of using NATO’s security guarantees to eventually regain the lost territory through diplomatic means.
This idea has yet to be formalized or accepted by NATO, and given the stakes involved, it remains a highly contentious issue. Zelenskyy’s proposition may be viewed as a pragmatic attempt to end the war and secure long-term peace, but its success depends largely on the willingness of NATO and its member states to accept such an arrangement.
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