Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that his country is willing to forgo its bid to join NATO in exchange for strong security guarantees from the West.
He made the remarks yesterday afternoon before a meeting with a U.S. representative in Berlin, Germany, adding that Ukraine seeks a dignified peace to prevent Russia from attacking the country again.
According to Zelensky, “Security guarantees from the U.S., Europe, and other partners, instead of NATO membership, represent a compromise on Ukraine’s part.”
The Ukrainian president emphasized that the security guarantees offered by the West to end the war with Russia must be accompanied by legal obligations.
Steve Whitcav, special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, met with Zelensky yesterday to discuss ending the conflict with Russia.
Further talks between the Ukrainian president and European and NATO leaders are expected today, during which Zelensky will present his stance on Ukraine’s peace plan.
Russia has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions, hand over control of 25% of the eastern Donbas region, and remove Western forces from the country.