Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking publicly for the first time about a possible pause in the fighting, floated a ceasefire with Russia on the condition that NATO would extend protection over the land currently controlled by Kyiv. In an interview with Sky News, he described his willingness to end the hot phase of the war and to pursue the return of any remaining territory lost in the early days of the invasion through diplomatic avenues. The proposal emphasizes security guarantees from the alliance as a key component of any potential settlement, signaling a shift toward diplomacy while tying the outcome to a broader security framework that only a NATO member can provide. The remarks have deep implications for how Ukraine envisions rebuilding deterrence and negotiating from a position of defense, especially given the ongoing volatility of the conflict and the strategic stakes for the region.
“If we want to stop the war, we need to bring under the NATO umbrella the territory we control,” the Ukrainian leader stated, outlining a clear condition that the land now under Kyiv’s administration would be safeguarded by the alliance. He made it explicit that Kiev would not recognize any Russian annexation of the eastern or southern portions of Ukraine, and he proposed that any invitation to join NATO should include the entirety of the territory at stake. He added that the pace of NATO accession matters, arguing that the process must be accelerated, while noting that the remainder of Ukraine could be recovered through diplomatic channels. For Zelenskiy, the security guarantees offered by the alliance are essential because they would form the only credible guarantee that Putin will not reattempt another conquest of the nation. The overall aim is to create a stable framework where diplomacy can prevail without leaving Ukraine defenseless against future aggression.
Analysts observe that the idea places Ukraine’s future security on the line of alliance commitments and raises questions about how NATO could structure such guarantees, especially in light of the alliance’s need for consensus among its members. Zelenskiy’s stance underscores a broader insistence on a comprehensive security arrangement that would deter any return of Moscow’s pressure while enabling Ukraine to pursue diplomatic avenues to restore territorial integrity. The proposal also highlights the tension between the urgency of peace and the political realities of alliance expansion, which requires careful navigation of member states’ positions and the evolving security landscape in Europe. Regardless of the immediate feasibility, the Ukrainian president’s emphasis remains on a combination of rapid political steps from NATO and a durable diplomatic path to return land through peaceful means, anchored by solid security assurances that can deter future aggression. ”