Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has floated the idea of bringing the parts of Ukraine currently under Kyiv’s control under NATO’s protection to end the “hot phase” of the war. In a recent interview with Sky News, Zelensky indicated his willingness to accept NATO membership for unoccupied Ukraine, provided the offer extends to the entire nation within its internationally recognized borders.
“You can’t give [an] invitation to just one part of a country,” Zelensky said, emphasizing that such a move would implicitly recognize Russian control over occupied territories. “Ukraine has never considered such a proposal, because no one has officially offered it to us.”
Zelensky suggested that, if NATO membership is extended to Ukraine in its entirety, Kyiv could explore diplomatic efforts to regain territories currently occupied by Russia. He stressed that NATO guarantees are essential for Ukraine’s security, arguing that without them, any ceasefire would leave the country vulnerable to further Russian aggression. “Without NATO, it’s not real independence for Ukraine because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will come back,” he said.
Signals, Not Proposals
The suggestion, made during a television interview rather than a diplomatic forum, is seen as a strategic signal rather than a formal proposal. Reports indicate that discussions of a “West Germany model”—offering NATO membership to a divided nation—have been ongoing in Western circles for over a year, though no formal offers have been made.
Zelensky’s remarks come amid reports that US President-elect Donald Trump may propose a ceasefire plan tied to freezing front lines and conditioning future military aid on Kyiv’s willingness to negotiate. Zelensky expressed readiness to engage with Trump’s team, stating, “I want to share with him ideas, and I want to hear from him, his ideas.”
The Trump administration’s reported plan, co-authored by retired General Keith Kellogg, seeks to pressure both Kyiv and Moscow toward negotiations while bolstering Ukraine’s defences to prevent further Russian advances post-ceasefire. However, it delays NATO membership for Ukraine, raising questions about long-term security guarantees.
Escalating Tensions
Zelensky’s proposal comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions, with Russia launching its second mass attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in two weeks. Moscow described the strikes as a response to US-supplied ATACMS missile attacks on Russian territory.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022, Putin has shown no signs of relinquishing his aim to dominate Ukraine. The notion that Moscow would tolerate any part of Ukraine joining NATO remains highly unlikely.
As Ukraine faces another harsh winter under attack, Zelensky continues to push for international support and security guarantees, insisting that only NATO membership can provide the stability needed to rebuild and secure Ukraine’s future.
