Zelensky ditches hopes of Ukraine joining Nato ahead of Berlin crunch peace talks

President Volodymyr Zelensky has relinquished Ukraine’s bid to join Nato ahead of crunch peace talks with the US and European allies in Berlin.

- ATHENA STAVROU

The Ukrainian president ditched his hopes to join the military alliance in what he said was a “compromise” to end the war with Russia.

In a major shift, Zelensky said Ukraine will instead ask for Western security guarantees, which he said should be legally binding. The move comes as Zelensky prepared to meet US envoys and European allies in Berlin for yet another round of negotiations in the hopes of a peace deal being struck.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met Zelensky for talks alongside European allies, including Sir Keir Starmer and the French president, Emmanuel Macron. The UK prime minister will attend the talks as Britain continues to discuss a crucial deal to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to help provide funds for Kyiv.

Sir Keir spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, on Saturday to discuss the move and work on the US-led peace proposals.