An offer of NATO membership to territory under Kyiv’s control would end “the hot stage of the war” in Ukraine, but any proposal to join the military alliance should be extended to all parts of the country that fall under internationally recognized borders,

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. He was asked by Sky News whether he would accept Nato membership, but only on the territory that Kyiv currently holds.

Fresh Ukrainian troops are being redeployed to the heavily threatened front-line regions of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, while Ukraine's president said he could agree to a ceasefire if NATO agrees to protect areas under Ukrainian control.