Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a major plan to end the ongoing war with Russia. He announced that Ukraine is willing to halt its NATO membership ambitions if Western countries provide clear and legally backed security guarantees, while firmly rejecting U.S. pressure to cede Ukrainian territory. Zelensky made these remarks on Sunday during discussions with U.S. Special Envoys Steve Biegun and Jared Kushner under President Donald Trump’s direction.
Zelensky stressed that, as the United States and several European countries have not formally approved Ukraine’s NATO membership, Kyiv is seeking security guarantees similar to those enjoyed by NATO members. He described these assurances as essential to deter future Russian attacks and as a framework for Ukrainian participation in peace negotiations, adding that they should have formal backing from the U.S. Congress.
During the discussions, Zelensky rejected a U.S. proposal to withdraw Ukrainian forces from eastern Donetsk to create a demilitarized free-trade zone. “Who would manage that territory? If we retreat, Russian forces should also pull back the same distance,” he questioned, emphasizing that maintaining current military positions is necessary until a mutually acceptable solution is reached.
From the outset, Russia has demanded that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions entirely and has stated that Donetsk cannot be ceded as part of any peace deal. In response, countries like France and Germany have reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine, highlighting the international backing for Kyiv in ongoing negotiations.