Zelensky Open to Discussing Occupied Territory in Exchange for NATO Membership

In a significant interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky articulated his vision for concluding the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity of including Ukraine in any discussions between the U.S. and Russia. Zelensky firmly stated, “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never.” This declaration underscores Ukraine’s critical role in any potential peace negotiations.

The backdrop of Zelensky’s remarks was the Munich Security Conference, where key figures from the Trump administration, several GOP senators, European leaders, and Zelensky convened to discuss the war’s implications. As the conflict continues, Zelensky urged European allies to also partake in the negotiations, highlighting the potential risks to NATO if Russia’s aggression goes unchecked or if the U.S. withdraws its support.

During the interview, Zelensky shared intelligence regarding the Russian military’s ongoing exercises in Belarus, warning of the possibility of a more extensive Russian invasion in Europe, which could occur as early as this summer. He stated, “Knowing that he did not succeed in occupying us, we do not know where he will go.” Zelensky expressed concerns that Poland and Lithuania could be next targets, asserting, “We believe that Putin will wage war against NATO.”

Zelensky’s use of his native Ukrainian language during parts of the interview emphasized the urgency of his message. In English, he reiterated his concerns to Vice President JD Vance, stating that a U.S. withdrawal from NATO would lead to its destruction. He warned that without American military presence, Russia could extend its reach into Europe, particularly targeting former Soviet nations.

“They will begin from those countries … small countries who’ve been in the USSR,” Zelensky warned. “But Europe will not answer, because they don’t have — they will begin to defend itself. Each country defends itself.” He emphasized the unpredictable nature of Putin’s ambitions, noting the continuous threat of occupation looming over Europe.

The discussion of peace negotiations also highlighted the Trump administration’s goals, with Trump revealing that he had spoken with Putin about halting the devastating conflict. Trump stated on Truth Social, “As we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.” He expressed a desire to work closely with Ukraine and initiate negotiations immediately.

During the interview, Zelensky expressed gratitude towards Trump and other U.S. leaders for their support of Ukraine. However, he firmly asserted that no leader could broker a deal with Putin without Ukraine’s involvement. Zelensky voiced his belief that Trump’s approach could instill fear in Putin, potentially leading to genuine peace talks. He said, “[Putin] doesn’t want any peace. But I think he’s really a little bit scared about President Trump.”

Despite expressing hope for productive negotiations, Zelensky urged Trump to prioritize Ukraine’s interests in discussions with Russian leaders. He reflected on the essential role of U.S. military assistance for Ukraine’s survival, stating, “I wanted very much that Ukraine is in [the] priority for Trump, not Russia.”

When asked about trusting Trump’s negotiations, Zelensky expressed cautious optimism: “I hope so. I hope so. Yes, I count on it.” He emphasized respect for the U.S. electoral process, acknowledging Trump as the elected leader of the United States.

Nevertheless, Zelensky issued a stern warning against taking Putin’s assurances at face value, citing his own experiences of failed peace negotiations in the past. He advised, “Don’t trust Putin. Don’t trust just words about ceasefire.”

Zelensky also addressed comments made by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who suggested it might be unrealistic for Ukraine to expect to regain all territories lost to Russia since 2014. Hegseth stated, “We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective.” Trump echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Russia had “fought for that land.”

In response, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s legal stance, asserting that the country cannot recognize any Russian claims over previously Ukrainian territories: “Judicially, we will not recognize … our occupied territory like territory of Russia.” However, he indicated a willingness to discuss territorial concessions as part of a diplomatic agreement that would allow Ukraine to join NATO, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing human lives over land.

“Yes, we have to return it diplomatically. Yes, we can. If we are in NATO, it’s understandable why diplomatically, it’s very understandable,” Zelensky concluded, reaffirming that the safety of the people is paramount. He stressed the need for a strategic and diplomatic approach to reclaiming lost territory while ensuring the well-being of Ukraine’s citizens remains the top priority.