Zelenskyy calls for the free part of Ukraine to be accepted into NATO, and the occupied territories to be returned through diplomatic channels

Zelensky called for the inclusion of the free territories of Ukraine in NATO, and the peaceful return of the occupied lands. Photo: press service of the President's Office

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the «hot phase» of the war with Russia can be stopped if the unoccupied territories of Ukraine are under the protection of NATO. The rest of the territories will be returned to Ukraine through diplomatic channels.

He said this in an interview with Sky News.

He emphasized that the invitation to NATO itself should include the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.

«If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to take the territory of Ukraine controlled by us under the umbrella of NATO. It must be done quickly. And then Ukraine will be able to return the occupied territories diplomatically,» the president said.

In his opinion, this format of the ceasefire guarantees that Russia will not be able to seize new territories of Ukraine.

As a reminder, Ukraine is asking NATO to invite it to join the military alliance next week.