Is Zelensky willing to give up territory to end the conflict?
Nov 30, 2024
Kyiv [Ukraine], November 30: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine could reach a ceasefire agreement with Russia if Ukrainian territory was placed under NATO's security protection.
In an interview with Sky News on November 29, Ukrainian President Zelensky responded to a request for comment on one of US President-elect Donald Trump 's plans to end the conflict with Russia . Accordingly, Kyiv could make concessions on territory controlled by Moscow in exchange for joining NATO .
Mr Zelensky said NATO membership would have to be granted to regions currently controlled by Ukraine to end the "hot phase of the conflict". He also stressed that any invitations should be made within internationally recognised borders.
"If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to bring the Ukrainian territory that we control into the NATO umbrella. We need to do it quickly. And then as for the controlled Ukrainian territory, Ukraine can take it back diplomatically," according to the Ukrainian president .
Zelensky stressed that the ceasefire was necessary to "ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not return" to seize more Ukrainian territory. He said NATO should also "immediately" cover the part of Ukraine under Kyiv's coordination orbit.
President Zelensky's latest statement represents a significant shift in Ukraine's stance. Previously, Kyiv declared that it would continue to fight Russia until it returned internationally recognized territories, including Crimea and its eastern territories.
According to this leader, the concession of any part of the territory to the opponent is not allowed under the Ukrainian constitution and the only way that can happen is for the people in that area to agree to secede.
In July, Mr. Zelensky told Le Monde that those territories could come under Russian control if people voted in a free and fair referendum. However, the vote would only be held if Kyiv regained control of those regions and held a referendum. Currently, about a fifth of Ukraine's territory is under Russian control, according to Sky News.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
