Ukraine signaled a significant shift in its diplomatic stance on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv was prepared to drop its long-held ambition of joining NATO in exchange for binding security guarantees from Western partners, as peace talks aimed at ending the war with Russia began in Berlin.
The announcement came as Zelenskiy arrived in the German capital for meetings with United States envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with negotiations hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and attended by European leaders seeking a path toward a ceasefire.
Zelenskiy described the proposal as a compromise by Ukraine, which has pursued NATO membership as a safeguard against future Russian aggression while continuing to reject demands to cede territory.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine was prepared to accept bilateral and multilateral security guarantees from the United States, European allies, and other partners instead of NATO membership.
“Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like guarantees for us from the US, and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries — Canada, Japan — are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion,” he said.
He added that such guarantees must be legally binding, calling the move “already a compromise from our part.”
The shift aligns with one of Russia’s stated war objectives, though Kyiv has maintained its refusal to withdraw from territory it controls in eastern Ukraine.
Zelenskiy reiterated his call for a “dignified” peace and assurances that Moscow would not resume hostilities.
The Berlin discussions come amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reach a settlement, following earlier proposals that included territorial concessions and limits on Ukraine’s armed forces.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine, European partners, and the United States were reviewing a 20-point plan that could end with a ceasefire, though he emphasized that Kyiv was not engaged in direct talks with Moscow.
He said a truce along current front lines could be considered fair, even as Russia continues to demand Ukrainian withdrawals from parts of the Donbas.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Russian strikes on energy, heating, and water infrastructure have left large numbers of civilians without power, reinforcing Kyiv’s assertion that Moscow is prolonging the conflict.
European allies have described the moment as critical, as negotiations could shape Ukraine’s security and political future.