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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled openness to a ceasefire deal in exchange for Western troops being deployed to Ukraine to guarantee its security.
Something you should know before you read: Over the last two months, Russia has intensified its offensive in eastern Ukraine, making notable gains in the Donetsk region and putting substantial pressure on Ukrainian defenses. Ukraine has struggled to hold its ground, with reports of deteriorating troop morale and shortages of critical military supplies. In response, the United States has urged Ukraine to lower its draft age to 18 to bolster its military ranks amid growing concerns about sustainability. Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the future of US support, as President-elect Donald Trump has suggested he may scale back or end military aid to Ukraine. This uncertainty has fueled increasing calls for Ukraine to negotiate a ceasefire to stabilize the situation and prevent further territorial losses.
What’s going on now: Following a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was open to the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire and ensure long-term security. He said, “A troop contingent from one country or another could be present in Ukraine for as long as it isn’t part of NATO. But for that we need to have a clear understanding of when Ukraine becomes an EU member and when a NATO member.”
He also acknowledged the challenges of joining NATO during an active war, asking, “Even if we get invited [to NATO], what happens then? Who guarantees our security?” Zelenskyy pointed to Macron’s proposal for European troops as a potential solution, saying, “We can think about that and work on Macron’s proposal.”
What Russia is saying: During an interview with Tucker Carlson, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s stance that Ukraine joining NATO or the alliance expanding closer to their borders is entirely unacceptable. Lavrov described NATO’s eastward enlargement as a direct threat to Russia’s security, warning that such moves cross “red lines” that Moscow will not tolerate. He added, “Any attempt to bring Ukraine under NATO’s umbrella will force us to take decisive measures to safeguard our sovereignty.”
