Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged NATO to extend security guarantees to Ukrainian territories under Kyiv’s control, offering a potential pathway to end the “hot stage” of the ongoing war.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Zelensky suggested that NATO protections could halt the escalation of violence, particularly in areas of Ukraine that remain under its control.
“If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should take under NATO’s umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader also indicated a willingness to delay efforts to reclaim the nearly one-fifth of the country occupied by Russian forces if such a deal could secure peace for the rest of Ukraine.
The war has intensified this week, with Russia threatening to target government buildings in Kyiv and launching a major aerial assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Zelensky emphasized that any peace deal should include guarantees preventing further Russian aggression. “If we speak ceasefire, we need guarantees that Putin will not come back,” he said.
Russia currently controls around 18% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Despite rising calls for ceasefires and diplomatic solutions, Kyiv has firmly rejected the idea of ceding territory to Russia.
Zelensky’s comments come amid increasing political tensions in the U.S., where President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end the conflict quickly, though he has not outlined a specific plan.
Zelensky has been in active talks with Western leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as Ukraine receives continued support, including more weapons and permission to strike Russian territory.
In a bid to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, Zelensky appointed Mykhailo Drapaty as the new Land Forces Commander, a move aimed at enhancing military leadership and combat readiness.