BERLIN: Ukraine has relinquished its purpose to hitch the NATO army alliance in trade for Western safety ensures as a compromise to finish the struggle with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday (Dec 14) as peace talks got underway in Berlin.
Zelenskyy aired the concession as he flew to the German capital, the place he started conferences with US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in efforts to finish Europe’s bloodiest battle since World Conflict Two.
The transfer marks a serious shift for Ukraine, which has fought to hitch NATO as a safeguard in opposition to Russian assaults and has such an aspiration included in its structure. It additionally meets considered one of Russia’s struggle goals, though Kyiv has to this point held agency in opposition to ceding territory to Moscow.
Zelenskyy met the US envoys at talks hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who, a supply stated, made temporary remarks earlier than leaving the 2 sides to barter. Different European leaders are additionally due in Germany for talks on Monday.
SECURITY GUARANTEES, A COMPROMISE
Safety ensures from the USA, Europe and different companions as an alternative of NATO membership represented a compromise on Ukraine’s aspect, Zelenskyy stated forward of Sunday’s discussions.
“From the very starting, Ukraine’s need was to hitch NATO, these are actual safety ensures. Some companions from the US and Europe didn’t help this path,” he stated in reply to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat.
“Thus, right now, bilateral safety ensures between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like ensures for us from the US, and safety ensures from European colleagues, in addition to different international locations — Canada, Japan — are a chance to forestall one other Russian invasion,” Zelenskyy stated.
“And it’s already a compromise from our half,” he stated, including that the safety ensures needs to be legally binding.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine formally surrender its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from about 10% of Donbas, which Kyiv nonetheless controls. Moscow has additionally stated that Ukraine should be a impartial nation and that no NATO troops may be stationed in Ukraine.
Russian sources stated earlier this yr that Putin desires a “written” pledge by main Western powers to not enlarge the US-led NATO alliance eastwards – shorthand for formally ruling out membership to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and different former Soviet republics.
Zelenskyy had earlier referred to as for a “dignified” peace and ensures that Russia wouldn’t assault Ukraine once more.
Below strain from Trump to signal a peace deal that originally backed Moscow’s calls for, Zelenskyy accused Russia of dragging out the struggle via lethal bombings of cities and Ukraine’s energy and water provides.
Sending Witkoff, who has led negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on a US peace proposal, seemed to be a sign that Washington noticed an opportunity of progress almost 4 years after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Zelenskyy stated Ukraine, the Europeans and the US are a 20-point plan, and that on the finish of this, there’s a ceasefire. He stated Kyiv has no direct talks with Russia.
A ceasefire alongside the present entrance strains could be a good choice, he added.
