Ukraine has relinquished its ambition to join the NATO military alliance in exchange for Western security guarantees as part of a possible compromise to end the war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said ahead of talks with U.S. envoys and European allies in Berlin.
The shift marks a significant change for Kyiv, which has long pursued NATO membership as a cornerstone of its national security and has enshrined the goal in its constitution. While the move aligns with one of Moscow’s stated war aims, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine has not agreed to cede territory to Russia.
Speaking on Sunday, Zelensky said security guarantees from the United States, European partners and other allies could serve as an alternative to NATO membership. He said these guarantees would need to resemble NATO’s Article 5 mutual defence clause and be legally binding to deter future Russian aggression.
“From the very beginning, Ukraine desired to join NATO; these are real security guarantees,” Zelensky said in responses to reporters in a WhatsApp chat. “But since some partners in the U.S. and Europe did not support this direction, bilateral and multilateral security guarantees are an opportunity to prevent another invasion. This is already a compromise from our side.”
Zelensky reiterated his call for a “dignified” peace and assurances that Russia would not attack again, as diplomatic efforts intensify nearly four years after Russia’s 2022 invasion. He said Ukraine and its partners are reviewing a 20-point plan that could culminate in a ceasefire, potentially along current front lines, though Kyiv has no direct talks with Moscow.
Russia has demanded Ukraine withdraw from parts of eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions still under Ukrainian control, a condition Kyiv has rejected. Zelensky accused Moscow of prolonging the war through sustained attacks on cities and critical infrastructure.
Germany is hosting Zelensky and European leaders for talks, while U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling to Germany, signalling Washington’s belief that progress may be possible. Despite ongoing diplomacy, Zelensky said Russian strikes continue to leave hundreds of thousands without power, underscoring the urgency of securing lasting peace.
