Ukraine has indicated it is prepared to abandon its long-standing ambition to join the NATO military alliance if it receives firm, legally binding security guarantees from Western partners, marking one of the most significant policy shifts since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The proposal was made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during intensive peace discussions held in Berlin on Sunday with senior United States envoys and European leaders. The talks, which lasted more than five hours, are set to continue on Monday and were described by U.S. representatives as constructive and forward-moving.
Speaking ahead of the negotiations, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s primary objective remains long-term security rather than symbolic alliances. He argued that guarantees similar in strength to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, backed by the United States and key allies in Europe and beyond, could serve as an alternative mechanism to deter future Russian aggression.
Ukraine’s push for NATO membership has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy for years and is written into its constitution. Dropping that goal would represent a major compromise, particularly given that Kyiv has consistently framed alliance membership as the strongest safeguard against renewed attacks from Moscow. Zelenskyy acknowledged the sensitivity of the move, noting that not all Western partners have supported Ukraine’s NATO aspirations in practice.
According to presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn, negotiators are now reviewing draft documents that outline possible frameworks for security guarantees and a broader peace settlement. Zelenskyy is expected to comment publicly on the outcome of the talks once discussions resume and conclude.
The meetings were hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who welcomed the delegations before negotiations began but refrained from making detailed public statements. Several other European leaders are expected to join discussions in Germany as diplomatic efforts intensify.
The U.S. delegation was led by Steve Witkoff, a special envoy appointed by President Donald Trump, and included Jared Kushner. Witkoff said on social media that talks covered a proposed 20-point peace plan as well as economic and reconstruction issues. Washington’s decision to send a senior envoy who has already engaged both Kyiv and Moscow is widely seen as a sign that the U.S. believes a negotiated breakthrough may be possible.
Despite the diplomatic progress, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not agree to formally hand over territory to Russia. He has, however, indicated that a ceasefire along current front lines could be considered as a temporary measure to halt active fighting. Kyiv continues to reject direct negotiations with Moscow at this stage, accusing Russia of prolonging the war through ongoing missile and drone strikes on civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
Earlier U.S. draft proposals, which have since been revised by Britain, France, and Germany, reportedly included limits on Ukraine’s armed forces and a permanent end to its NATO ambitions. European officials have described the current moment as decisive for determining Ukraine’s future security architecture.
Russia has long demanded that Ukraine renounce NATO membership, adopt neutral status, and accept restrictions on foreign troops on its territory. The Kremlin has also insisted on Ukrainian troop withdrawals from contested regions in eastern Ukraine and has sought written assurances from Western powers that NATO will not expand further east.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius urged caution, pointing to Ukraine’s 1994 decision to surrender its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances that ultimately failed to prevent later aggression. He warned that guarantees without strong U.S. participation would lack credibility and stressed that any agreement must include clear commitments from Russia.
Alongside peace talks, European governments are exploring ways to strengthen Ukraine’s financial position, including the possible use of frozen Russian central bank assets to support military and civilian spending.
As negotiations continue, attention is focused on whether Ukraine’s willingness to make a historic concession on NATO membership can unlock a durable path toward ending the war, while ensuring the country’s long-term sovereignty and security.
