Ukraine’s president is ready for a ceasefire with Russia. Condition: NATO protects the unoccupied territories of Ukraine. Zelensky ordered personnel changes in the command of the army.
How can the war against Ukraine end? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj plans to put his country’s unoccupied territories under NATO protection.Then a truce could be made with Russia.
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In the event of a ceasefire, his country needs guarantees that “Putin will not come back,” he said in an interview with the British TV channel Sky News. “If we want to end the hot phase of the war, we should protect the territory we control,” Zelensky said. “We need to do that quickly. And then Ukraine can get the other territories back through diplomatic channels.”
Kiev has not considered this path yet as it has not been officially proposed by anyone in NATO, the Ukrainian president said. In addition, NATO’s invitation must be extended to all of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. His country has no right to recognize occupied territories as Russian.
After the Sky interview, Ukraine’s presidential office highlighted that Zelensky’s quote was shortened by various media outlets and distributed without context before the interview was published. Among other things, this suggested that Ukraine was taking a new position. That is not the case.
To highlight this, the Ukrainian presidential office published the full text of Zelensky’s response: ”No one suggested to us that one or another part of Ukraine should join NATO.” Part of Ukraine cannot be invited to NATO either. Ukraine must be included within its internationally recognized borders. “We will not legally recognize the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia as Russian territories,” the president’s office made it clear. “We cannot do that. This violates the constitution of Ukraine.”
There is no quick way to NATO
The demand for an immediate invitation from NATO is part of his so-called victory plan, which Zelensky presented in Washington, Berlin and other capitals in the fall. though, key NATO states – the US and Germany – are against establishing a fast track for Ukraine into the Western alliance. The plans known so far from the future US governance of Donald trump do not provide for the involvement of Kiev.
Map of ukraine and Russia, hatched light: territories occupied by Russia
Zelensky fired army chief
Meanwhile, the situation at the front is still tense. New commanders should ensure success. In a video speech, Zelensky announced the dismissal of Chief of Army Staff Olexander Pavlyuk. His successor will be Major General Mykhailo Drapaty, who managed to stop Russian aggression in the eastern Kharkiv region, zelensky said. “Changes are needed – changes in personnel management that will produce better results on the battlefield.”
In addition, Zelenskyj promoted Oleh Apostol, a former colonel and brigade commander, to supreme deputy commander. He appointed another brigade commander, Colonel Pawel Palissa, as deputy head of his presidential office so that he would be better informed of the situation at the front.
What are the main challenges Ukraine faces in negotiating a ceasefire wiht russia?
Time.news Interview: Exploring Ceasefire Prospects in Ukraine
Editor: Good evening, and welcome to Time.news. Tonight, we’re honored to have Dr. Elena Marinko, an expert in international relations and conflict resolution, with us to discuss an crucial progress in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently indicated his willingness for a ceasefire, contingent upon NATO’s protection of Ukraine’s unoccupied territories. Dr. Marinko, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Marinko: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. President Zelensky mentioned that any potential ceasefire would require NATO to protect Ukraine’s unoccupied territories. What do you think this would mean for Ukraine, and do you beleive NATO would agree to such terms?
Dr. Marinko: That’s a crucial question. For Ukraine, NATO protection would provide some level of security and assurance that unoccupied territories are safeguarded from further aggression. It speaks to the need for international guarantees that any ceasefire wouldn’t lead to a repeat of past violations. However, whether NATO would agree to such protection is a complex matter. NATO has to balance member countries’ security concerns, potential escalations, and the risks of being drawn further into the conflict.
Editor: Zelensky also emphasized the need for guarantees that “Putin will not come back.” How realistic is this expectation in the context of international diplomacy?
Dr. Marinko: It’s a challenging expectation. History has shown that ceasefires can collapse if one side feels unchecked. The idea of guarantees often involves more than just promises—it could require a robust monitoring mechanism and possibly international peacekeeping forces. However, building trust requires sustained diplomatic efforts and, frankly, a change in the current dynamics of russia and NATO relations.
Editor: In his interview, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine could reclaim territories through diplomatic channels after ensuring protection of its own. What would those diplomatic channels look like, and how feasible is this approach?
Dr. Marinko: Diplomatic channels typically include negotiations facilitated by international organizations or through direct talks between the conflicting parties. In this case, Ukraine would likely seek the mediation of organizations like the United Nations or the OSCE. However, reclaiming territories diplomatically can be very challenging, especially if Russia remains insistent on maintaining claims over those lands. It will require concessions, compromises, and possibly a new framework for peace that both sides can accept.
Editor: The conflict has been ongoing for several years now, and many are growing weary of the fighting. What role do you see public opinion playing in shaping these discussions?
Dr. Marinko: Public opinion is a powerful force, especially in democratic societies. In Ukraine, citizens are understandably tired of war and are likely to support efforts toward peace, as long as those efforts ensure their safety and territorial integrity. On the othre side, Russian public sentiment is frequently enough influenced by government narratives.If peopel perceive negotiations as a step toward avoiding further loss and suffering, they might support a ceasefire.Ultimately, leaders must tap into public desires to achieve any lasting resolution.
Editor: Lastly, what steps do you think could be taken in the near future to move closer to a ceasefire?
Dr.Marinko: first, open lines of communication between Ukraine and Russia need to be established, possibly through back-channel discussions.Second, involving international mediators from both NATO and possibly neutral countries could help facilitate dialog. Third, confidence-building measures such as humanitarian aid or minor agreements could lay the groundwork for a more formal ceasefire. It’s essential that all parties involved recognize the stakes and the need for a sustainable resolution.
Editor: Thank you,Dr. Marinko, for yoru insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that the path to peace in Ukraine is complex, but dialogue and international support are essential elements for any hopeful outcome.
Dr. Marinko: Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that as the situation evolves, we continue to promote informed discussions about peace.
Editor: Absolutely. Thank you all for tuning in to this discussion on the Ukraine crisis. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor developments in this situation. Good night!