Zelensky open to talks: A shift in Ukraine crisis strategy

In a series of interviews and public statements over the past week, Zelensky has sought to demonstrate his preparedness to negotiate an end to the conflict—something President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly demanded during his election campaign. For most of the war, Zelensky maintained that Ukraine would fight until it regained approximately 20% of the territory currently under Moscow's control.

Zelensky now suggests he might accept a ceasefire that would effectively leave the occupied territories in Moscow's hands if the rest of Ukraine were covered by North Atlantic Treaty protection. However, there are two significant obstacles to this concept: Ukraine's chances of swiftly joining the military alliance are slim, and there are no indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate.

In recent months, Russian troops have made faster advances in eastern Ukraine than at any other point since the war began. Moscow has also shifted its economy to a war footing and recently approved the largest defence budget in Russian history, giving Putin confidence he can continue seizing Ukrainian territory by force.

During a press conference on Sunday, Zelensky stated that Ukraine would be willing to enter such negotiations only from a position of strength, which would require further steps towards NATO and new deliveries of long-range Western weapons.

"If we have a frozen conflict without a strong position for Ukraine, Putin will return in two, three, or five years," said Zelensky. "He will return and destroy us completely. Or attempt to destroy us," he warned.

However, the Ukrainian leader's openness to territorial concessions, even temporary ones, is a significant concession, notes the Wall Street Journal.

In an interview with Sky News on Friday, Zelensky said that NATO membership would have to be offered to the non-occupied parts of Ukraine for Kyiv to consider ending what he called the "hot phase of the war." Although Ukraine would still claim rights to all its territory, Zelensky suggested Kyiv would seek to regain it "diplomatically."

The same stance was presented in an interview with Kyodo News, a Japanese media outlet, published on Monday.

"Our army does not have the strength to accomplish that," Zelensky said about expelling Russians from occupied territories. "We must find diplomatic solutions," he admitted.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in a Monday interview, refused to discuss the prospects of Ukraine's membership.

"The main issue concerning Ukraine is how to provide more military assistance. That is the priority number one, two, and three," said Rutte. He added that a "bridge" to NATO membership is being built through bilateral security agreements with member countries and other initiatives.

Zelensky's change in rhetoric reflects the growing fatigue among Ukrainians, who express a desire to end the conflict. Russian attacks have left much of the country without stable access to electricity this winter, and manpower shortages mean more men who do not wish to fight are being forcibly conscripted into the army, notes the Wall Street Journal.

According to a Gallup poll published last month, 52% of Ukrainians in non-occupied parts of the country support negotiating to end the war "as soon as possible," compared to 27% a year ago; 38% support continuing the fight until Ukraine's victory, compared to 63% a year earlier.

Russian officials claim that Ukraine would need to abandon hopes of joining NATO as part of any peace agreement.

Many Western officials fear that a move towards NATO could exacerbate the West's confrontation with Moscow. However, Zelensky continues to push for an invitation to the alliance, though he acknowledges accession could only happen after the war ends.