In a bold move this Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv is ready to drop its long-held goal of joining NATO if the US and European partners step up with solid security guarantees. It’s a major shift aimed at fast-tracking peace talks with Russia and bringing an end to the ongoing conflict.
So what does this mean? Instead of full NATO membership (which Russia has firmly opposed), Ukraine is asking for a pact similar to NATO’s Article 5—basically, a promise that if Ukraine is attacked, its guarantors will come to the rescue. Think of it like switching to a new mobile plan: you lose some perks but keep the essential coverage you need to feel safe. 📲✌️
Zelenskyy made these remarks ahead of talks in Berlin with a US delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He stressed that Ukraine still sees strong protections from allies like Canada, Japan, and key EU countries as non-negotiable. “This is already a compromise on our part,” he said via WhatsApp.
On the ground, the fighting didn’t pause. Russia’s Defense Ministry claims its forces shot down aerial bombs and drones and struck Ukrainian fuel depots and troop sites, even capturing the village of Varvarovka in Zaporizhzhia. The situation remains tense as Kyiv awaits Washington’s response to its revised proposal.
For young pros in South and Southeast Asia watching global shifts, this deal shows how big players sometimes swap big goals for tangible security. It’s a reminder that in geopolitics—just like in tech or startups—flexibility can be the key to survival. 🌏💡
Keep an eye on Berlin’s talks for the next steps. This year’s end could mark a real turning point in one of the biggest geopolitical stories of our time.
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Ukraine offers to drop NATO membership demands for security guarantees
cgtn.com
