Zelenskyy: said Ukraine is willing to withdraw its appeal for NATO security assurances from the West

Zelenskyy: Prior to important discussions with US envoys and European partners in Berlin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine may be prepared to abandon its long-standing objective of joining NATO if it obtains sufficient security assurances from Western friends, according to Al Jazeera.

The idea, which Kyiv has long advocated for NATO membership as the best defense against potential Russian aggression, is a major compromise, Zelenskyy said. Rather, he said that the United States, European nations, and other allies might provide Ukraine legally enforceable security assurances.

“These are genuine security assurances; Ukraine has always wanted to join NATO. In a WhatsApp discussion with reporters, Zelenskyy said, “Some partners from the US and Europe did not support this direction.”

Strong protection may still be provided by other arrangements, he added. “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. Such guarantees need to be legally enforceable, Zelenskyy said, adding, “And it is already a compromise from our part.”

The move would represent a significant departure in Ukraine’s stance if it is followed, since Kyiv has continuously applied to join NATO even though Russia sees the alliance’s growth as a direct threat. According to Al Jazeera, Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine still rejects any pressure to give up land, even if the move would be in line with one of Moscow’s declared goals for the conflict.

According to the Ukrainian president, he is looking for a “dignified” peace and definite assurances that Russia won’t strike again. Additionally, he called the battle perhaps Europe’s worst since World battle II and accused Moscow of purposefully extending the conflict by continuing to target Ukrainian towns and vital infrastructure.

The remarks were made as pressure from US President Donald Trump to achieve a resolution increased and diplomatic efforts became more intense. On Sunday, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Berlin for negotiations with European and Ukrainian officials.

According to Al Jazeera, the choice to send Witkoff—who has previously participated in talks with both Kyiv and Moscow—was seen as an indication that Washington thinks breakthrough could be achievable.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is examining a 20-point plan that may ultimately result in a truce with the assistance of the US and European allies. He did, however, reaffirm that Kyiv is not having direct discussions with Russia. He acknowledged that a ceasefire along the existing battle lines would be deemed reasonable, but he also underlined that Moscow still insists that Ukraine leave areas of Donetsk and Luhansk that are still under Ukrainian authority.

Russian strikes have continued despite continuous diplomatic negotiations. Ukrainian authorities claim Russia is purposefully targeting the power system to deny people access to water and heat during the winter, after recent attacks left thousands without energy.