Zelensky Proposes Nato Membership for Unoccupied Ukraine to End War’s “Hot Phase”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has floated the idea of bringing unoccupied parts of Ukraine under NATO protection as a way to halt the ongoing “hot phase” of the war with Russia.
In a comprehensive interview with Sky News, Zelensky responded to questions about whether he would accept NATO membership solely for areas currently under Ukrainian control. While he indicated he would consider it, he insisted such a step must include an initial offer of NATO membership for the entire country, as recognized by international borders.
Zelensky emphasized that once NATO membership is secured, Ukraine could explore diplomatic means to regain territories presently occupied by Russia. However, he noted that no such offer has been presented.
“Ukraine has never been approached with such a proposal,” Zelensky said, according to Sky News’ translation. “And you cannot invite only part of a country into NATO. Doing so would effectively concede that the other part belongs to Russia, which is unacceptable.”
The Ukrainian leader reiterated his stance that ceasefire agreements without guarantees against future aggression from Russia are inherently risky. He argued that NATO membership provides the only viable security assurance.
The suggestion comes as Western discussions reportedly explore parallels with the “West German model,” wherein NATO extended membership to a divided nation during the Cold War. Yet, Zelensky acknowledged that these ideas remain speculative, with no concrete proposals on the table.
For now, Russia’s position remains unchanged. President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of relinquishing his objective to dominate Ukraine, making any agreement involving NATO membership seem far-fetched.
Despite this, Zelensky remains optimistic, expressing hope that with strong support from Ukraine’s allies, the war could reach its conclusion in the coming year. However, he stressed that any resolution must ensure Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity in the long term.
