Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky no longer insists on joining NATO, citing lack of unanimous support within the alliance. Instead, he proposed that similar security guarantees from the EU and the US could serve as a compromise. This marks a significant shift, as NATO membership remains enshrined in Ukraine’s constitution, though Russia strongly opposes Ukraine joining the alliance.

New confidential talks regarding a US-brokered peace plan are underway in Berlin, involving representatives from the USA, Europe, and Ukraine. Alongside Zelensky, US envoys Witkoff and Kushner, as well as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other German negotiators, are participating. Moscow has expressed skepticism, suggesting that the contributions from Europe and Ukraine are unlikely to be constructive.