Zelensky Proposes Fresh Ceasefire Terms, Moscow Remains Unresponsive
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Kiev/Moscow, Dec 1 (NationPress) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his willingness to conclude the 'hot phase' of the conflict with Russia in exchange for Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as reported by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
"In order to halt the hot phase of the war, we must place the territory of Ukraine that we currently control under the NATO umbrella. This needs to happen swiftly," Zelensky was quoted as stating, according to the Xinhua news agency.
He further mentioned that Ukraine could later regain the territories currently held by Russia through diplomatic means, adding that the NATO invitation should acknowledge Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of a ceasefire to ensure that Russia does not reclaim any more Ukrainian territory.
On the other hand, the Russian side has shown a notably low-key reaction to this situation.
The Kremlin has yet to respond publicly to Zelensky's statements.
Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma, remarked on his Telegram channel, "Moscow will no longer permit Western nations to supply arms to Kiev under the pretense of an agreement."
He urged Ukrainian politicians to relinquish their aspirations of joining NATO. "Kiev's pursuit of NATO membership is essential for progress, not a resolution to the war. The notion of freezing the conflict is also unacceptable," he stated.
On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian army has liberated 88 settlements across the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, along with areas in Zaporozhye, Kursk, and Kharkov in the fall of 2024.
