President Zelensky Shows Flexibility Toward Ceasefire in Response to President Trump's Proposal

President Zelensky Shows Flexibility Toward Ceasefire in Response to President Trump's Proposal

Following Donald Trump's election as U.S. President, many speculated the outcome of the Ukraine war might be determined. Despite outgoing President Joe Biden's final efforts to provide Ukraine with U.S. military support and financial aid, Russia has continued its relentless aggression. Amidst this, the Trump administration has presented a new proposal regarding the Ukraine conflict, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now considering as a path toward a ceasefire.

In his first interview addressing the ceasefire with UK media outlet Sky News' chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, Zelensky hinted at a shift in approach. The Trump administration’s proposal reportedly suggests that Ukraine could join NATO, under U.S. leadership, if it relinquishes control of the territories currently occupied by Russian forces.

Zelensky expressed openness to this idea, stating, "If we want to stop the violence and destruction caused by this war and ensure the security of the territories still under our control, we need to seek shelter under NATO."

He further elaborated, "Our initial goal is to secure NATO membership. Then, through diplomatic means, we aim to recover the territories lost. I believe this is achievable. However, recognizing the territories occupied by Russia as Russian land is impossible. It would violate Ukraine's constitution."

Over the past three years of war, Russian forces have occupied the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. In September 2022, Moscow formally declared these regions as Russian territory. On the other hand, NATO has made it clear that Ukraine's membership is not possible until the war ends.