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In a surprising turn, Ukraine offers to drop its NATO ambitions during Berlin peace talks with the U.S. and Europe. Could this historic compromise finally end the war with Russia, or is a ceasefire still far off?
Ukraine drops NATO goal as peace talks
Berlin: In a major diplomatic shift, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy offered to abandon Ukraine’s long-standing goal of joining NATO during intensive peace talks in Berlin on Sunday. The discussions, aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia, extended into a second day and are set to resume on Monday.
Zelenskiy met with US representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in talks hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. While details of the discussions remain limited, officials indicated that the meetings lasted more than five hours, with draft proposals under review. Zelenskiy is expected to comment publicly once the negotiations conclude.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that abandoning NATO membership would come in exchange for legally binding security guarantees from the United States, European countries, Canada, and Japan, aimed at preventing further Russian aggression.
Ukraine has long pursued NATO membership as a safeguard against Russia, with the aspiration enshrined in its constitution. Zelenskiy’s offer represents a major compromise, meeting one of Moscow’s key demands while aiming to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for Ukraine to renounce NATO ambitions and maintain neutrality, alongside troop withdrawals from parts of the Donbas region.
European leaders are set to join Monday’s talks to refine proposals. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the U.S. envoy presence as a positive sign but warned that prior experiences such as Ukraine relinquishing its nuclear arsenal in 1994 in exchange for security assurances highlight the importance of binding guarantees.
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Pistorius noted that any agreement must address territorial issues and involve meaningful commitments from both the West and Russia to be credible.
Zelenskiy also mentioned a potential ceasefire along current frontlines as part of the ongoing 20-point peace plan. Western allies, including Britain, France, and Germany, are working to adjust the U.S. proposals, which reportedly call for Ukraine to cede territory, limit its armed forces, and formally abandon NATO ambitions.
European officials described the talks as a critical moment that could shape the future of Ukraine and Europe’s security architecture, while simultaneously exploring financial measures to support Kyiv using frozen Russian assets.
