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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently suggested that NATO membership could serve as a potential way to end the "hot phase" of the ongoing war with Russia. In an extensive interview with Sky News, Zelensky proposed that the territories currently under Ukrainian control could be placed under NATO’s protection, provided the alliance offered membership to the entirety of Ukraine, including the areas now under Russian occupation.
Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine would only accept NATO membership for its existing territory if the alliance extended that invitation to the whole of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. He emphasized that offering NATO membership solely to the regions controlled by Kyiv would create a dangerous precedent, implicitly acknowledging Russian control over the contested territories. "You can’t give an invitation to just one part of a country," he said. "If you do, you recognize that Ukraine is only the part under Ukrainian control, and the rest is Russia."
The idea of a divided NATO membership has been discussed within certain Western circles, but Zelensky pointed out that no formal offer has been made. He also stressed that Ukraine has never considered this proposal, as no official invitation has come from NATO.
Zelensky’s comments underscore the importance of NATO membership in providing Ukraine with the security guarantees it desperately needs to prevent further Russian aggression. According to the president, while there have been many calls for ceasefires, none of these proposals include mechanisms to prevent Russia from resuming attacks, making them dangerously ineffective. In contrast, he believes that NATO’s collective defense clause could offer Ukraine the necessary protection and stability to ensure a lasting peace.
Despite the theoretical nature of this proposal, Zelensky’s comments reflect the growing frustration with the lack of progress in diplomatic solutions. He also expressed optimism that the war could end within the next year if Ukraine’s allies show greater resolve in supporting his country’s security and territorial integrity.
While discussions on NATO membership and a divided Ukraine remain speculative, Zelensky’s stance highlights the crucial role that international alliances play in resolving conflicts, especially in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. Whether NATO will consider such a proposal remains uncertain, but Zelensky's call for stronger commitments from the West signals a new phase in Ukraine's fight for sovereignty and peace.
