KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced his readiness to end the "hot phase" of the conflict with Russia in exchange for Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported on Friday.
"If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to put the territory of Ukraine that is under our control under the NATO umbrella. We need to do it fast," Zelensky was quoted as saying.
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Later, Ukraine could get back the territories, which are now controlled by Russia, in a diplomatic way, he said.
The Ukrainian leader said NATO invitation should recognize Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.
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He stressed that a ceasefire is necessary to guarantee that Russia "does not return" to seize more Ukrainian territory.
