Ukraine gives up NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Sunday. He is due to hold talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war with US envoys and European leaders. Kiev is not negotiating directly with Russia.

Already on arrival, Ukraine's head of state indicated that he wanted to use the "critical moment" to move the peace discussions forward. The most significant point was the announcement that Ukraine was prepared to give up ambitions to join NATO in exchange for binding security guarantees from the US, Europe, Canada and Japan.

This move represents a significant turnaround, as membership of the Alliance has been anchored in Ukrainian politics for many years and is also in the constitution.

Zelensky stressed that the guarantees must be legally binding and provide Ukraine with real protection from further attacks.

Negotiations in Berlin open a new phase of diplomacy

In Berlin, Zelensky meets with US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, who arrived in Europe on the instructions of US President Donald Trump.

Witkoff has previously held discussions with both Kiev and Moscow on the US proposal, which, however, included strongly pro-Russian demands in its original version.

European allies - notably Germany, France and Britain - are currently working to modify the US proposals to better suit Ukrainian interests. At the same time, they are pushing for the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's budget and arms purchases.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting Zelensky at Monday's summit, which is intended to reaffirm united support for Ukraine across Europe.

Ukraine continues to struggle with massive attacks

Zelensky said Ukraine and its allies are considering a 20-point plan that would lead to a ceasefire along the current front line. Russia, however, is demanding the entire Donbas and has announced that if Ukraine does not surrender it after the deal, it will conquer the remaining 30 percent of the Donetsk region militarily.

The country has faced widespread blackouts in recent days following Russian strikes on power, heating and water systems. Zelensky said Russia has fired more than 1,500 drones, hundreds of guided bombs and dozens of rockets at Ukraine this week.

According to the president, Moscow is trying to weaken the morale of the civilian population to gain an advantage in negotiations.

(reuters, pir)