For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed openness to temporarily ceding parts of Ukraine to Russia in exchange for security guarantees.
Speaking to Sky News, Zelensky suggested a “NATO umbrella” for territories still under Ukrainian control as a possible path to ending the conflict.
This marks a notable change in Ukraine’s stance, which had previously been focused on reclaiming all occupied regions, including Crimea and the territories annexed by Russia in 2022. Zelensky stressed the urgency of securing a ceasefire to halt the “hot stage of the war,” saying, “We must act quickly to protect the parts of Ukraine that we now control with a NATO umbrella. Then we can diplomatically retrieve other parts.”
However, Zelensky ruled out permanent territorial concessions in exchange for NATO membership. Instead, he floated the idea of security guarantees from key NATO members like the U.S., Britain, Germany, and France. “Full NATO membership has not been offered, but we need protection to prevent Putin’s return,” he said.
Trump and European Push for Peace
Zelensky’s remarks come as Donald Trump prepares for his January inauguration. Trump has pledged to end the Ukraine war swiftly, reportedly considering a plan to freeze current front lines and delay Ukraine’s NATO aspirations for 20 years. In return, the U.S. would provide ongoing military aid to deter further Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, European support for a peace deal is growing. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed deploying European peacekeepers to create a 1,300-kilometer buffer zone between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Johnson emphasized, “I don’t think we should send combat troops to tackle the Russians, but a multinational peacekeeping force is needed to monitor the border and help the Ukrainians.”
This evolving diplomatic push signals a potential turning point in efforts to resolve the conflict, with a mix of compromises and international guarantees under consideration.
