🇺🇦 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put forward a bold proposal to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. According to Interfax-Ukraine, Zelenskyy is ready to halt the \"hot phase\" of the war in exchange for Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (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 stated. This move aims to secure international protection for Ukrainian territories and pave the way for diplomatic negotiations to reclaim areas currently controlled by Russia.
Zelenskyy emphasized that a NATO invitation should acknowledge Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, ensuring that a ceasefire would prevent Russia from seizing more Ukrainian land. 🛡️
On the other side, the Kremlin has maintained a low profile regarding Zelenskyy's remarks. Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma, took to Telegram to express Moscow's stance. He declared, \"Moscow will no longer allow Western countries to arm Kyiv under the guise of an agreement,\" urging Ukrainian politicians to abandon their NATO ambitions.
Slutsky added, \"Kyiv is seeking to join NATO; this is the key to moving forward, not the end of the war. The idea of freezing the conflict is also unacceptable.\" Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced plans to liberate 88 settlements in various regions by fall 2024, following Ukraine's earlier incursions.
The evolving situation highlights the complex dynamics of international alliances and the ongoing struggle for territorial integrity in the region. As negotiations continue, the eyes of the world remain on Ukraine and its quest for peace and security. 🌍✨
