Zelenskyy proposes NATO protection for ceasefire with Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine proposed a potential solution to end the conflict with Russia during an interview with Sky News journalist Stuart Ramsay, which aired on November 29, 2024.
Zelenskyy emphasized that a ceasefire agreement could become achievable if the territories under Kyiv's control were safeguarded by NATO, providing the necessary security framework to deter further Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy stated during the interview that Ukraine’s NATO accession invitation should acknowledge the country's internationally recognized borders. "To end the active phase of the war, we must bring the territories we control under NATO's protection," the president emphasized, warning that without this support, the risk of Russia attempting new attacks is substantial.
A new approach to peace talks
Zelenskyy also discussed the need to collaborate with the new U.S. president, Donald Trump, to ensure the needed support for peace negotiations. “We must work with the new president to gain the most significant support,” said Zelenskyy, expressing his wish to speak directly with Trump and establish an effective relationship, free from negative influences within his inner circle.
The Ukrainian president noted that his September meeting with Trump in New York was “warm, positive, and constructive,” and he viewed it as a first step toward deeper collaboration.
Ukraine’s constitutional position
Zelenskyy reiterated that the Ukrainian constitution forbids the ceding of territories and that any change to the status of these regions must be decided through a democratic vote. “If the people in these regions were to democratically choose to join another nation, that could be a possibility, but until then, the territories remain part of Ukraine,” the president emphasized.
Challenges and future prospects
Despite Ukraine's continued efforts to defend its territory and carry out counteroffensives, Russia has managed to gain ground in recent months, particularly in eastern Ukraine. This underscores the difficulty of reaching a peace agreement that is acceptable to both sides.
Zelenskyy emphasized that NATO's protection would be crucial for ensuring the security of Ukraine's controlled territories and establishing the conditions for effective negotiations regarding the remaining occupied regions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
