Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is prepared to abandon his country’s long-standing bid to join the NATO military alliance if it would help pave the way for peace talks with Russia. The statement comes amid growing international pressure to find a diplomatic solution to the prolonged war.
Zelenskyy stressed that his priority is to end the bloodshed and destruction facing Ukraine, adding that any agreement reached must still safeguard the country’s sovereignty and independence. While NATO membership has been a central goal for Kyiv in recent years, he noted that achieving peace and protecting civilians are now more urgent concerns.
Russia has consistently opposed Ukraine’s potential entry into NATO, describing it as a direct threat to its national security. Analysts believe Zelenskyy’s remarks could be an attempt to soften Ukraine’s stance in order to create room for meaningful negotiations between the two sides.
However, reactions within Ukraine remain mixed. Some see the move as a pragmatic step that could speed up an end to the conflict, while others fear that giving up on NATO membership may weaken the country’s long-term security. Despite these concerns, many Ukrainians hope the signal of compromise could help bring the devastating war closer to an end.