Zelensky indicates he could agree to a ceasefire to end Russian war - in return for Nato membership

He said that if the Ukrainian territory he controls were brought "under the NATO umbrella," he might diplomatically return the remaining areas currently occupied by Russia.

This marks the first time the Ukrainian leader has openly suggested accepting Russian control of occupied areas as part of a potential peace agreement.

The proposal would allow Ukraine to later recover occupied regions "in a diplomatic way," whilst securing NATO membership for territories currently under Kyiv's control.

The unexpected change in stance comes as Ukrainian forces face mounting pressure in the east of the country.

Zelensky outlined his vision for ending the "hot phase of the war."

"If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to take under the NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control," he told Sky News.

The Ukrainian president emphasised the urgency of such an arrangement, stating it needs to happen "fast."

He stressed that a ceasefire would be necessary to "guarantee that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will not come back" to seize more territory.

The proposal hinges on NATO membership recognising Ukraine's internationally recognised borders, even if some regions remain temporarily outside the alliance's protection.

Throughout the conflict, the Ukrainian president has consistently refused to cede any occupied territory to Russia, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Such territorial concessions would currently violate Ukraine's constitution, which only permits regions to secede through public agreement.

The furthest Zelensky had previously gone was in July 2023, when he told Le Monde that territories could potentially join Russia following a free and fair referendum.

However, he had insisted that such a vote could only occur after Kyiv regained control of these areas.

Earlier this year, Zelensky presented a "victory plan" to the Ukrainian parliament that explicitly rejected any cession of territory or sovereignty.

Around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian control, including areas Moscow unilaterally annexed in September 2022.

Moscow has made clear it will not relinquish any occupied territories as part of peace negotiations.

Russian officials maintain that Kyiv must accept territorial losses as a prerequisite for peace talks.

Recent months have seen Ukraine's military on the defensive, with Russian forces making gradual gains in eastern regions.

The war has now continued for more than 1,000 days.