Ukraine's NATO Membership 'Back on the Table' Says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that his country's potential membership in NATO is once again being considered. This development comes after a meeting between US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Abu Dhabi. According to Zelenskyy, the US envoys raised the question of Ukraine joining NATO, and he believes that the alliance is now "back on the agenda."

Zelenskyy's comments suggest a significant shift in the dynamics of Ukraine's relationship with NATO. Russia has long opposed Ukraine's potential membership in the alliance, viewing it as a threat to its own influence in Europe. In 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, citing the West's plans to incorporate Ukraine into NATO as a justification for its actions. However, with Ukraine now having almost five years of combat experience, Zelenskyy believes that his country can make NATO "stronger."

The Ukrainian president also warned of the dangers of Moscow's push to redraw its influence in Europe. He stated that the Kremlin is "betting everything" on this winter's military campaign, and that Russia's troops have been pounding Ukraine in the run-up to winter. Despite this, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the possibility of securing a ceasefire, saying that Kyiv is in talks on "specific" guarantees from Western countries.

Zelenskyy's comments were made after a meeting with European leaders in Dublin, where it was announced that five countries - France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Poland - would send representatives to talks on ending the war. The European leaders have reacted coolly to Russia's proposal for a new security architecture, with Germany's Friedrich Merz saying that the existing security framework is sufficient.

Zelenskyy and his European allies have insisted that securing a ceasefire must be a priority in any talks. He warned that Moscow's "idea of a redistribution of power in Europe" is "very dangerous... it is precisely things like this that lead to wars and escalations." Russia has tried to reframe negotiations on ending the war into a conversation on the continent's wider security.

The negotiations in Abu Dhabi did lead to some agreements, including the participation of European countries in future talks on ending the war. However, no breakthrough was achieved, and the Kremlin has ruled out wider ceasefires. Putin has proposed a "humanitarian" mission to the eastern town of Kostyantynivka, which Moscow announced it had seized in summer but where Kyiv says fighting continues.

Zelenskyy has rejected Moscow's proposal for a humanitarian mission, viewing it as a ploy to get Kyiv to withdraw from the embattled city and open the road to more settlements in the Donetsk region. He also stated that Ukraine would not recognise any land seized by Moscow's troops as Russian. The US administration has for almost two years tried to reach a breakthrough in talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Key points

• Ukraine's potential NATO membership is now being considered after years of Russian opposition.
• European countries will participate in future talks on ending the war.
• Securing a ceasefire must be a priority in any talks, according to Zelenskyy and his European allies.