KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a recent broadcast interview that extending NATO membership to all of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territories could potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that any proposal for NATO membership must encompass all regions of Ukraine, not just those currently under Kyiv’s control. This statement reflects the complex journey Ukraine must navigate on its path toward joining the military alliance. The 32 NATO members declared Ukraine is on an “irreversible” trajectory to membership during their Washington summit in July. However, a clear challenge remains regarding the need for well-defined borders before Ukraine can become a member, as this would clarify the application of NATO’s mutual defense pact.
“You can’t just offer an invitation to a part of a country,” Zelenskyy remarked in his Sky News interview. He made it clear that doing so would imply recognition of Ukraine’s territory as limited to that specific area, thereby legitimizing Russian claims over the remaining parts. Under Ukrainian law, the government is unable to acknowledge any occupied territories as belonging to Russia. “Legally, we have no right to recognize the occupied territories as part of Russia,” he asserted.
Since the onset of hostilities in 2022, Russia has driven significant military efforts to capture approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, primarily in eastern and southern regions. Zelenskyy proposed that in order to cease active conflict, NATO should extend its protective umbrella over the areas of Ukraine currently under control. He believes that such a step would enable the country to regain the rest of its territory through diplomatic means.
Zelenskyy’s NATO invitation proposal is a critical element of his “victory plan,” which aims to strengthen Ukraine’s position in potential discussions with Moscow. Earlier in the week, NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte indicated that the alliance’s support for Ukraine needs to expand further in response to the Russian aggression. Military aid and strategies to resolve the war will likely dominate discussions when NATO foreign ministers convene in Brussels for a two-day meeting beginning December 3.
However, the process for Ukraine to join NATO would be lengthy and would require the unanimous consent of all member states. Additionally, there is ongoing uncertainty surrounding the foreign policy direction of President-elect Donald Trump. While Trump has claimed he could swiftly end the Russian invasion during his campaign, he has yet to elaborate on those assertions. Recently, he appointed Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired general, as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. In the past, Kellogg has asserted that strong leadership is necessary to achieve a peace deal and halt hostilities.
During his campaign debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump avoided a direct response to whether he supports Ukraine’s victory in the war, which raised concerns about the pressure Kyiv might face in negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy’s comments come at a time when Ukraine is confronting significant military pressures along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) frontline. A recent report from the Institute for the Study of War highlighted that Russian forces have made advances near areas such as Kupiansk and key logistics routes important for Ukraine’s military.
On Saturday, Ukraine’s air force reported an attack involving ten Russian drones, with eight intercepted across various regions, including Kyiv and Cherkasy. One drone managed to return to Russian-occupied territory, while the last one lost contact, suggesting evasion tactics such as electronic countermeasures. Concurrently, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed eleven Ukrainian drones, with no casualties reported in the regions affected by these aerial engagements.
In response to the ongoing situation, President Zelenskyy announced several changes in military leadership aimed at enhancing battlefield effectiveness. General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who recently led defenses in Kharkiv, has been appointed as the new head of Ukraine’s Ground Forces. Oleh Apostol has taken on the role of Deputy Commander-in-Chief, focusing on the improvement of military training efforts. Moreover, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the reinforcement of units in critical locations, including Donetsk and Pokrovsk, with additional personnel and resources.