Zelenskyy calls security guarantees compromise on NATO membership

(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday described pursuing bilateral security guarantees with the US, European nations, and other partners as a “compromise” on Ukraine’s long-held ambition to join NATO.

Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy recalled that Ukraine has consistently aimed for NATO membership as a source of “real security guarantees,” but acknowledged that some Western partners have not fully supported that path. He explained that Kyiv is now focusing on obtaining “Article 5-like guarantees” from Washington, alongside assurances from European and other countries, including Canada and Japan.

“These security guarantees are an opportunity for us to prevent another wave of Russian aggression. And this is already a compromise on our part,” Zelenskyy said.

The remarks signal a notable shift in Ukraine’s approach, as NATO membership was enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution following a 2019 parliamentary vote. Russia has consistently opposed Ukraine joining the alliance, with President Vladimir Putin labeling it a “direct threat” to Moscow’s security shortly before the outbreak of the war in February 2022.

Zelenskyy’s comments come amid ongoing discussions over a US-proposed peace plan, which are continuing in Berlin. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to host Zelenskyy and several European leaders on Monday to review progress in peace talks. A government spokesperson noted that Merz will first hold bilateral discussions with Zelenskyy on German-Ukrainian economic cooperation and the status of ongoing negotiations, followed by a broader meeting with European heads of state and EU and NATO representatives.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that the proposed peace plan will not satisfy all parties, describing it as containing “many compromises in one format or another.” He also said Ukraine has submitted an updated plan to Washington but has not yet received a formal response, though Kyiv has received signals via its negotiating team. "I receive all signals and will be ready for dialogue, which will begin today," he said, adding that Monday in Berlin will be a “Ukraine-US day,” including separate meetings with Chancellor Merz and potentially other European leaders.

The Ukrainian president stressed that if current diplomatic efforts fail, Kyiv will need to seek “another path” to end the conflict, noting that Ukraine maintains no direct talks with Russia. He criticized Russia’s demand for a Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donbas region as “not fair,” suggesting that a ceasefire along the existing front line would be a reasonable and realistic option. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov recently stated that any ceasefire would require Ukrainian forces to first withdraw from Donbas.

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