Zelenskyy open to dropping NATO bid for Western security guarantees

BERLIN (AP) — Amid ongoing discussions regarding ending the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a willingness to forgo his country's aspirations to join NATO. In return, he seeks security guarantees from Western nations. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he rejected the U.S. suggestion of ceding territory to Russia.

Zelenskyy met with Steve Witkoff, special envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Photos released by Zelenskyy showed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz seated next to him at the negotiating table, facing the U.S. delegation.

Prior to the talks, Zelenskyy addressed journalists' questions via WhatsApp audio clips. He stated that since the U.S. and some European countries have rejected Ukraine's NATO bid, Kyiv now anticipates the West to provide security assurances akin to those granted to NATO members.

"These security guarantees present an opportunity to avert another wave of Russian aggression," Zelenskyy stated, characterizing this proposal as "already a compromise on our part."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently cited Ukraine's NATO aspirations as a significant threat to Moscow's security, using it as a justification for the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022. The Kremlin has insisted that Ukraine abandon its pursuit of NATO membership as a prerequisite for any potential peace agreement.

Zelenskyy stressed that any security assurances must be legally binding and backed by the U.S. Congress. He also mentioned awaiting updates from his team following a meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, between Ukrainian and U.S. military officials.

For months, Washington has been attempting to reconcile the demands of both sides, especially as Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, expressing increasing impatience with the delays. The pursuit of potential compromises faces significant hurdles, notably the control of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, largely under Russian occupation.

**Obstacles to Peace**

Putin's key conditions for peace include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the portion of the Donetsk region still under their control – a demand Kyiv has rejected.

Zelenskyy revealed that the U.S. had suggested Ukraine withdraw from Donetsk to establish a demilitarized free economic zone. He dismissed this proposal as impractical.

"I do not consider this fair, because who will manage this economic zone?" he questioned. He proposed a freeze along the current line of contact as a more equitable solution.

Putin’s foreign affairs advisor, Yuri Ushakov, told Kommersant that Russian police and national guard would remain in parts of Donetsk even under a demilitarized zone peace plan.

Ushakov cautioned that finding a compromise could be lengthy, noting that Ukrainian and European alterations had "worsened" U.S. proposals that initially considered Russian demands. He warned that Moscow would have "very strong objections" to these changes.

Ushakov added that the territorial issue was actively discussed during Witkoff and Kushner's meeting with Putin earlier in the month, stating, "The Americans know and understand our position."

Zelenskyy mentioned speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron shortly before meeting with Trump's envoys. He thanked Macron for his support and affirmed close coordination "for the sake of our shared security."

Macron affirmed France's continued support for Ukraine in building a "robust and lasting peace," guaranteeing its security and sovereignty, as well as that of Europe.

Merz highlighted the shift away from "Pax Americana" for Europe and Germany, warning that Putin's objective is "a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders."

"If Ukraine falls, he won’t stop," Merz cautioned.

Putin has denied any intentions of restoring the Soviet Union or attacking European allies.

**Aerial Attacks Continue**

Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones overnight, with 110 intercepted. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. missile and drone strikes were recorded in six locations.

Zelenskyy reported that hundreds of thousands of families remain without power in the south, east, and northeast regions, with ongoing efforts to restore electricity, heat, and water following a large-scale attack the previous night. He noted that Russia had launched over 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs, and 46 missiles at Ukraine in the past week alone.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses downed 235 Ukrainian drones between late Saturday and early Sunday.

In Russia's Belgorod region, a drone injured a man and ignited his house in the village of Yasnye Zori, according to regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Uryupinsk in the Volgograd region, causing a fire, according to regional Gov. Andrei Bocharov. In the Krasnodar region, Ukrainian drones attacked the town of Afipsky, where an oil refinery is located. While explosions shattered windows in residential buildings, no damage to the refinery was reported.