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Ukrainian president suggests temporarily ceding territories to Russia in exchange for a formal invitation to join NATO, redefining the course of the conflict.
The statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky opened a new chapter in the war that has been going on for more than two years. In a recent interview, Zelensky said that Ukraine wants NATO protection and would be willing to temporarily cede territories occupied by Russia. The proposal, although controversial, is an attempt to seek security for the territories still under Ukrainian control and create conditions for a diplomatic solution in the future.
Change of discourse and geopolitical context
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has resisted with military support and humanitarian assistance from Western countries, especially NATO members. Despite recovering some regions, the conflict has stabilized in a stalemate. Recently, with Russian advances in Donetsk and the global political reconfiguration driven by the election of Donald Trump in the United States, Zelensky has revealed a more pragmatic stance.
“If Ukraine wants NATO protection, we need to stop the hot phase of the conflict. Temporarily giving up territories is a high price, but it is necessary to ensure our security under the umbrella of the Alliance,” Zelensky said, stressing that joining the organization is essential for the country’s sovereignty.
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Impact of territorial concessions
The territories mentioned include regions such as Donetsk, Lugansk and Kherson, where Russia held referendums that were widely rejected by the international community. For Moscow, these areas are strategic both militarily and politically, consolidating the narrative of “protecting Russian-speaking populations”.
On the other hand, analysts point out that a possible concession, even if temporary, could be exploited as a victory by Vladimir Putin, weakening NATO's position in Eastern Europe. Zelensky's proposal is facing resistance inside and outside Ukraine, where any concession is seen as a betrayal of the sacrifices made.
Resistance within NATO
While Ukraine wants NATO protection, the country’s accession faces obstacles. The United States and Germany fear a direct escalation with Russia if they accept Ukraine’s immediate accession. In addition, the Ukrainian constitution prevents the country from relinquishing territory, complicating Zelensky’s proposal.
Trump’s election adds another element to the equation. The former US president has previously criticized Western stances toward Ukraine and proposed a peace deal that would freeze the current front lines, postponing Ukraine’s NATO aspirations for decades.
A crucial moment for the future
For Zelensky, balancing domestic and foreign demands is a strategic dilemma. Against a backdrop of economic devastation, military attrition and international pressure, he is desperately seeking a path that will secure Ukraine’s sovereignty without compromising his political position. Meanwhile, countries like China are closely watching developments, assessing implications for disputes such as Taiwan.
What is at stake is not only the future of Ukraine, but the global balance of power. The question remains: how far can Ukraine go to secure NATO protection without compromising its principles and the trust of its people? In such an unpredictable scenario, every decision Zelensky makes could shape the course of the conflict and its global impact.
If we find a way to stop this carnage
This president of Ukraine thinks he is being a real character, when he was an actor. I know they suffered in the past (from the USSR... and it was the first capital of Russia), but putting NATO in the middle of this war is wrong. It could start a global war like India vs. Pakistan, Iran vs. Israel, the two Koreas, China vs. Taiwan. There are more than 15 atomic bombs at stake.