Ukraine drops NATO bid: Will Kyiv get security guarantees from the West?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Alex Kozul-WrightDecember 15, 2025 at 03:52 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

In December 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled a major shift in policy, stating Ukraine is prepared to abandon its pursuit of NATO membership. This announcement came amidst peace talks with the US and European envoys aimed at resolving the war with Russia. Zelenskyy expressed that Kyiv now seeks alternative security guarantees from the West, comparable to those provided by NATO's Article 5. He specified bilateral security guarantees with the US and similar assurances from European allies, Canada, and Japan as a means to deter future Russian aggression. This proposal is being considered as part of a 28-point plan involving Ukraine, the EU, and the US, potentially leading to a ceasefire. The change in stance comes as US President Trump pressures Kyiv to reach a deal with Russia.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States ×270% NATO ×380% Volodymyr Zelenskyy ×5100%

Keywords

ukraine 100% nato 90% security guarantees 90% russia 80% zelenskyy 80% peace talks 60% us 60% western allies 50% russian aggression 50% european union 40%