Sat Nov 30 13:06:42 UTC 2024: ## Zelensky Proposes NATO Protection for Controlled Ukrainian Territory to Halt War

**KYIV, Ukraine** – Amidst escalating tensions and renewed Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a novel approach to ending the ongoing war: placing Ukrainian-controlled territories under the NATO umbrella. In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky suggested that securing NATO’s protection for the areas currently held by Kyiv could halt the fighting, even if it meant temporarily foregoing the recapture of territories seized by Russia.

This proposal comes as Russia launched a major aerial assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, claiming it was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using Western-supplied missiles. Russia has also threatened to target government buildings in Kyiv. The conflict has intensified since Donald Trump’s recent US presidential election victory, with increased Russian aggression and renewed calls for a potential ceasefire.

Zelensky emphasized that any NATO guarantee should ultimately encompass all of Ukraine, but his immediate proposal focuses on securing NATO protection, specifically invoking Article Five’s collective defence clause, for the territory currently under Kyiv’s control. This, he argued, would provide sufficient security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression. He stated the need for guarantees that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not launch another invasion.

While Kyiv has consistently rejected territorial concessions in exchange for peace, Zelensky’s comments suggest a willingness to consider a phased approach, prioritizing an end to active hostilities before addressing the issue of reclaiming lost territories through diplomatic means. This contrasts with Putin’s demand for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from additional territories.

The intensified conflict has led Zelensky to engage in a series of calls with Western leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The US, under President Biden, has increased its support for Ukraine following Trump’s victory, providing additional weapons systems and authorizing longer-range strikes on Russian territory. This escalation prompted a retaliatory response from Russia, including the deployment of hypersonic missiles.

In a separate development, Ukraine appointed a new Land Forces Commander, Mykhailo Drapaty, in a move to strengthen army leadership and combat readiness. The Ukrainian government emphasized that these personnel changes aim to improve army management and preparedness.

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