Staff Reporter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to drop Kyiv’s long-held ambition of joining NATO, a major potential concession, as he resumed high-level diplomatic talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy is meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and American President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, following five hours of discussions yesterday.

The talks, which also involve German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders, center on a potential 20-point plan that could lead to a ceasefire and a broader peace settlement.

The Ukrainian President described the shift on NATO membership as a major concession, noting that Kyiv has for years sought alliance membership as the strongest deterrent against future Russian aggression.

In place of NATO accession, the proposal being reviewed by Ukraine, the United States, and European partners would see allies provide legally binding security guarantees to Ukraine.

The increased engagement, spearheaded by US envoys, suggests a serious attempt to broker an end to the protracted conflict.

The outcome of the ongoing talks is expected to shape the future security architecture of Europe.

The focus now shifts to the specifics of the proposed 20-point plan and the nature of the legally binding security guarantees that would replace Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.

Zelenskyy stated that since some partners did not support Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership, the alternative would be bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US.
He stressed that these assurances must be legally binding to prevent another Russian invasion.