Zelensky is willing to end the war in exchange for NATO membership.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that he is prepared to end the "hot phase" of the war in exchange for joining the North Atlantic Alliance.

NATO membership should be offered to the unoccupied parts of the country on the condition that the alliance's invitation acknowledges Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. Zelensky made this statement in an interview with Sky News.

The President suggested that a ceasefire agreement could be reached if the Ukrainian territory under his control is placed "under NATO's umbrella," which would allow him to later negotiate the return of the remaining territory "through diplomatic means," the publication reports.

In the Sky News interview, the Ukrainian leader was asked to comment on media reports that one of the plans of the elected U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war might involve Ukraine ceding territories that Moscow has taken from it in exchange for joining NATO.

"Zelensky stated that NATO membership should be offered to the unoccupied parts of the country to end the 'hot phase of the war,' provided that the NATO invitation itself recognizes Ukraine's internationally recognized borders," the article states.

The publication notes that the head of Ukraine seemingly agreed that the occupied eastern regions of the country would not be included in such a deal at this time.

"If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to place the territory of Ukraine under our control under NATO's umbrella. We need to do this quickly. Then, [the occupied – ed.] territories can be returned by Ukraine through diplomatic means," Sky News quotes Zelensky.

According to the publication, the Ukrainian leader stated that a ceasefire is necessary to "ensure that Putin does not return" and take more Ukrainian territory.

He emphasized that NATO must "immediately" cover the part of Ukraine that remains under Kyiv's control, which, according to him, is "very necessary for Ukraine, otherwise he [Putin – ed.] will return."

Recall that earlier, the press secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Russian Federation is not interested in freezing the conflict with Ukraine and that all the original goals of the so-called "special military operation" must be achieved. Meanwhile, the President of the Russian Federation is allegedly ready to enter into negotiations regarding Ukraine.