According to a report by Financial Times, Ukrainian officials are holding closed discussions on the possibility of surrendering some territory to Russia in exchange for NATO membership or other security guarantees.
Ukraine reportedly fears it may not have enough troops, weapons, or continued Western support to reclaim its 1991 borders. In light of this, alternative solutions are being explored.
One option under discussion involves Russia maintaining control over about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies. Although not officially recognized as part of Russia, Ukraine could still join NATO or receive similar security assurances.
In the past, Kyiv insisted that peace talks with Moscow could not begin until Russian forces withdrew from Ukraine’s territory within its 1991 borders.
However, by late March, President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at the possibility of a peaceful settlement without full territorial recovery. Zelensky believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be willing to negotiate if he faces territorial losses.
In response, Kremlin stated that Kyiv must acknowledge the new geopolitical reality, including four new Russian entities formed after start of the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously described February 2022 military operation as a last resort, claiming Russia faced security risks that left no other option. He also mentioned Moscow’s long-standing efforts to reach a security agreement with NATO, but said these efforts were met with deceit, pressure, or blackmail.
Russia remains firm in its demand for Ukraine to abandon its NATO ambitions to achieve a peaceful resolution.
