Ukraine war: Zelensky proposes NATO protection for part of Ukraine

Ukraine could agree to a ceasefire with Russia if NATO extends its protection to parts of the country controlled by Kiev, according to statements by President Volodymyr Zelensky. In the event of a ceasefire, his country needs guarantees “that Putin will not come back,” said Zelensky in an interview with the British TV channel Sky News.

“If we want to end the hot phase of the war, we should protect the territory that we have under our control,” Zelensky said, according to the English translation. “We have to do that quickly. And then Ukraine can diplomatically regain the other territories.”

Kiev has not yet considered this path because no one in NATO has officially suggested it, Zelensky said. In addition, a NATO invitation must still go to the entire Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. According to the constitution, his country does not have the right to recognize occupied territories as Russian.

Ukraine needs a guarantee “that Putin won’t come back”

Zelensky added in English: “Yes, NATO immediately for part of Ukraine. We absolutely need that. Otherwise he (Russian leader Vladimir Putin) will come back.”

The president recently indicated in a speech in parliament in Kiev that Ukraine does not have to reconquer all occupied territories militarily, but could leave this to a future diplomatic solution. The demand for an immediate NATO invitation is part of his so-called victory plan, which he presented in Washington, Berlin and other capitals in the fall.

However, the important NATO states USA and Germany are particularly opposed to establishing a quick path for Ukraine into the Western alliance. The plans that have so far become known from the future US government of Donald Trump do not provide for Kiev to join. Russia flatly rejects Ukraine’s NATO membership.