Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he wants to work “directly” with US President-elect Donald Trump and is open to his ideas, highlighting Kyiv’s eagerness to keep its most important ally onside as Russia intensifies its attacks.

Zelenskyy suggested that the "hot phase" of the Russia-Ukraine war could end if unoccupied parts of Ukraine came "under the NATO umbrella."

He was asked by Sky News whether he would accept Nato membership, but only on the territory that Kyiv currently holds. Zelensky said he would, but only if Nato membership was offered to the whole of Ukraine,

Any proposal to join the military alliance should be extended to all parts of the country that fall under internationally recognized borders, Ukraine's president said.

Sir Tony Brenton, former UK ambassador to Russia, said Zelensky was 'playing a very sophisticated game' in calling for Ukrainian-controlled territories to come under the Nato umbrella.

Talking about the ceasefire, Zelenskyy said that NATO membership will have to be offered to Kyiv for the territory which has not been occupied by Russia in order to end the "hot phase of the war".