In a shift, the Ukrainian president indicates he would accept a cease-fire with Russia if his country obtains NATO membership.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that the parts of Ukraine under his control should be taken "under the Nato umbrella" to try and stop the "hot phase" of the war. In a long, wide-ranging interview on Sky News, the Ukrainian president was asked whether he would accept Nato membership, but only on the territory which Kyiv currently holds.

In further remarks to Sky News, the UK’s former representative to Nato, Sir Adam Thomson, said Mr Zelensky appeared to be preparing domestic audiences for compromises, while “making opening moves” in a likely extended negotiation with Mr Trump over which line to take with the Kremlin.

In recent interviews and public statements, Zelenskyy indicated a readiness to negotiate a ceasefire. Throughout most of the war, he maintained that Ukraine would fight until it regained approximately 20% of its territory occupied by Russia.