Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness to end the active conflict with Russia if Ukraine is granted membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Speaking on Friday, Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of bringing territories under Ukrainian control under the protection of NATO.
“If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to put the territory of Ukraine that is under our control under the NATO umbrella. We need to do it fast,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
Zelenskyy suggested that regaining territories currently held by Russia could be achieved through diplomatic means in the future. He stressed that any invitation to NATO should recognize Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. “A ceasefire is necessary to guarantee that Russia does not return to seize more Ukrainian territory,” he added.
The Kremlin has remained silent on Zelenskyy’s proposal. However, Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma, commented on his Telegram channel. “Moscow will no longer allow Western countries to arm Kyiv under the guise of an agreement,” Slutsky stated, urging Ukrainian politicians to abandon their aspirations to join NATO. “Kyiv’s pursuit of NATO membership is not the end of the war; it’s a step towards escalation. The idea of freezing the conflict is also unacceptable,” he said.
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Zelenskyy puts NATO membership condition for ceasefire with Russia
cgtn.com
