Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday that it was possible to end the "hot phase of the war" in exchange for taking the unoccupied parts of Ukraine "under NATO umbrella."
In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky stated that in such a scenario, NATO would have to extend an invitation to Ukraine "in its internationally recognized borders." The deal would not apply to parts of the country currently controlled by Russia although Zelensky envisaged that Kiev could later "get them back in a diplomatic way." A ceasefire would ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not "come back" to annex more territory.
Zelensky said he wanted to work directly with United States President-elect Donald Trump "because there are different voices from people around him. And that's why we need not to [allow] anybody around to destroy our communication." He also described his conversation with Trump in September as "warm" and "constructive."
