Zelensky suggests Ukraine could drop Nato goal for security guarantees to end war

President Volodymyr Zelensky has signalled that Ukraine could accept security guarantees from the US and Europe as a way to prevent future Russian aggression, and substitute for its long-term goal of joining Nato.

Kyiv, which for years has seen membership in the alliance as a way to ensure its future security, has altered its rhetoric amid continued reluctance of the US and some European partners and as Washington presses efforts to bring the war to an end.

Bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and the US that function similarly to Nato’s Article 5, as well as guarantees from Europe and other countries, potentially including Canada and Japan, could prevent “another coming of Russian aggression”, Zelensky told reporters as he travelled to Berlin for talks with US and European officials.

“This is already a compromise on our part,” he said.

The move marks a major shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join Nato as a safeguard against Russian attacks and has such an aspiration included in its constitution.

Zelensky will hold meetings in Berlin on the framework peace plan for Ukraine, consisting of 20 points and a road map for the country’s future development. The accord won’t be one that “everyone likes”, Zelensky said.