Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a bold trade-off to halt the war with Russia: NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for a ceasefire. Speaking to media on Friday, Zelenskyy emphasized that placing Ukraine under NATO’s security umbrella could 'stop the hot phase' of the conflict and prevent further Russian advances. 💬 'We need to do it fast,' he urged.
Zelenskyy suggested that joining NATO would allow Ukraine to reclaim Russian-occupied territories through diplomacy, stressing that any invitation must respect Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. 🔄 'A ceasefire is necessary to guarantee Russia doesn’t return,' he added, framing NATO membership as both a shield and a stepping stone to peace.
Russia’s Cold Shoulder
Moscow responded frostily. The Kremlin remained silent, but Leonid Slutsky, a top Russian lawmaker, warned on Telegram that allowing Western arms into Ukraine 'under the guise of an agreement' would not be tolerated. ❄️ He dismissed Kyiv’s NATO ambitions as a 'key to moving forward, not ending the war,' calling the idea of freezing the conflict 'unacceptable.'
The Battlefield Reality
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed Sunday that its forces liberated 88 settlements across eastern Ukraine this fall, including areas where Ukrainian troops had launched incursions earlier this year. 🛡️⚔️ The conflicting narratives highlight the high stakes—and widening gap—in negotiations.
As Zelenskyy bets on NATO to secure Ukraine’s future, the world watches: Will this gamble accelerate peace… or deepen the divide? 🌐🇺🇦
