The only way we can cede territory to Russia is if Ukraine is allowed to join NATO - Zelenskyy changes war stance for first time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed the possibility of a ceasefire if the territories under Kyiv's control could be brought "under the NATO umbrella," allowing the return of Russian-occupied areas to be negotiated diplomatically in the future. In an interview with Sky News, Zelenskyy addressed reports suggesting that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might propose Ukraine cede occupied territories to Russia in exchange for NATO membership. Zelenskyy emphasized that NATO would need to extend membership to unoccupied parts of Ukraine while recognizing its internationally accepted borders.

He acknowledged that the eastern areas currently occupied by Russia might fall outside such an arrangement for now. "To stop the hot phase of the war, we need NATO to immediately cover the territory of Ukraine under our control," Zelenskyy said. He added that diplomatic efforts could later focus on regaining occupied territories. Zelenskyy stressed that a ceasefire is essential to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin does not attempt to seize more land. He urged NATO to act swiftly, stating that Ukraine "needs this very much" to prevent further aggression.

This marks the first time Zelenskyy has suggested a ceasefire deal involving temporary Russian control over Ukrainian territory. Previously, he has consistently rejected the idea of ceding any occupied land, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. He reiterated that such decisions would require constitutional changes and agreement from residents in those areas.

In his first interview with British media since Trump's election, Zelenskyy expressed a desire to work closely with the incoming U.S. president. He emphasized the importance of direct communication, avoiding interference from those around Trump, and proposed developing a "new model" of cooperation. Reflecting on their September meeting in New York, he described it as "warm, constructive, and an important first step" toward future collaboration. Zelenskyy also reiterated that any potential referendum on the future of occupied territories would only be possible if Kyiv regained control of those areas.