“If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to put the territory of Ukraine that is under our control under the Nato umbrella. We need to do it fast,” Zelensky was cited as saying.

Later, Ukraine could get back the territories, which are now controlled by Russia, in a diplomatic way, Zelensky said, noting that Nato invitation should recognise Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.

Zelensky stressed that a ceasefire is necessary to guarantee that Russia “does not return” to seize more Ukrainian territories.

Meanwhile, the Russian side seems to have a very low-profile response towards this.

The Kremlin has so far been silent on Zelensky’s remarks.

Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the international affairs committee of the Russian State Duma, commented in his Telegram channel, “Moscow will no longer allow western countries to arm Kyiv under the guise of an agreement.”

He called on Ukrainian politicians to abandon their ambition to join Nato.

“Kyiv is seeking to join Nato. This is the key to moving forward, not the end of the war. The idea of freezing the conflict is also unacceptable,” he said.