On December 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had accepted giving up Ukraine's ambition to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees from the US, Europe and some other partners, considering this a "compromise" by Ukraine to find a way out of the conflict with Russia.
Speaking ahead of meetings with US special representatives and European allies in Berlin (Germany), Mr. Zelensky emphasized that these guarantees need to be legally binding and strong enough to prevent a new conflict from Russia.
According to Mr. Zelensky, the desire to join NATO was a "very early" security choice of Ukraine and was even stated in the constitution. However, the dis support for the roadmap from some partners in the US and Europe has prompted Kiev to seek another option.
Bilateral guarantees with the US, guarantees similar to NATO Article 5, and security commitments from European colleagues and countries such as Canada and Japan are an opportunity to prevent Russia from attacking again, Zelensky said.
The move meets one of Russia's key demands, which has repeatedly demanded Ukraine's formal abandonment of NATO targets, accepting neutrality and not allowing the deployment of NATO troops on its territory.
The Kremlin has also asked Kiev to withdraw troops from the Donbass territory that Ukraine still controls, although Kiev has so far refused to cede the territory.
Russian sources previously said President Vladimir Putin wanted a written commitment from Western powers that NATO would not expand to the East, including not admitting Ukraine, Georgia or Moldova.
Under pressure from US President Donald Trump to promote a peace deal - which was initially seen as leaning towards Moscow's demands - Mr Zelensky accused Russia of prolonging the conflict with airstrikes on the city, electricity, water and heating infrastructure of Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine is considering a 20-point plan with the US and Europe, with the end point being a ceasefire, although Ukraine is not conducting direct negotiations with Russia.
On the ground, Mr Zelensky said that a ceasefire along the current front lines could be a fair choice.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to chair a summit in Berlin on December 14 (local time) with the participation of Mr. Zelensky and European leaders, following a series of public support moves for Kiev.
The UK, France and Germany are coordinating to fine the US proposal, after the draft released last month caused controversy for calling on Ukraine to ceded more territory, give up NATO and accept limiting armed forces.
