Earlier today in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dropped a bombshell: Kyiv is ready to set aside its long-standing bid to join NATO in exchange for rock-solid security guarantees from the United States and its European partners 🤝🔒.
Speaking via WhatsApp ahead of crucial talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Zelenskyy admitted that NATO membership is off the table for now, given Moscow's fierce opposition and the realistic roadblocks ahead. Instead, he's pushing for bilateral guarantees – including the promise of Article 5-style protection from the U.S., plus backing from allies like Canada, Japan and others.
'We're talking about bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States – namely, Article 5 – as well as guarantees from our European partners and countries such as Canada, Japan and others,' Zelenskyy said. 'This is already a compromise on our part.'
On the territorial front, Zelenskyy floated a ceasefire plan that would lock in the current front lines as the 'fairest possible option.' While he knows Russia might push back, he's banking on strong U.S. support to tip the scales.
Uncertainty still hangs over Zelenskyy's proposal. Ukraine has submitted a revised plan to Washington this week but is waiting on a response. Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground rages on. Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down four guided bombs and 290 drones in the past 24 hours, striking 142 Ukrainian fuel depots and deployment sites, and claiming control of Varvarovka village in the Zaporizhzhia region.
As Berlin talks kick off, all eyes are on whether this fresh compromise can break the deadlock and bring a step closer to peace. Stay tuned as the story develops! ✨
Reference(s):
Ukraine offers to drop NATO membership demands for security guarantees
cgtn.com
