Ukraine Signals NATO Concession as Berlin Negotiations Enter Critical Phase

The second round of negotiations between Ukraine and the United States has concluded in Berlin, following two days of intensive discussions involving senior political and security officials from both sides. The meetings focused on a proposed American peace plan, security guarantees for Kyiv, and broader economic issues.

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Signing documents

The Ukrainian delegation was led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, joined by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Representing Washington were Steve Witkoff, special envoy of President Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law.

Two Rounds of Lengthy Negotiations

The first round of talks took place on December 14 and lasted more than five hours. Negotiations resumed the following day, with the second session continuing for approximately two hours. According to participants, the discussions were detailed and wide-ranging.

Witkoff described the outcome as constructive, stating that the parties had made significant progress.

"We held thorough discussions on the US peace plan consisting of 20 points, as well as economic issues and a number of other topics.”

Security Guarantees Remain a Key Dispute

Despite positive public statements, differences quickly emerged behind the scenes. The Kyiv Post reported that Washington and Kyiv failed to reach consensus on the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine.

According to sources familiar with the talks, Zelensky insisted that binding security guarantees must precede any final peace agreement. The US side, however, reportedly proposed a phased approach, under which such guarantees would be negotiated and formalized over time.

At the same time, Bloomberg reported that the Ukrainian president repeatedly rejected proposals from Witkoff involving the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from parts of Donbas.

Ukraine Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid

One of the most sensitive issues discussed was Ukraine's future relationship with NATO. Zelensky suggested that Kyiv could abandon its aspiration to join the alliance in exchange for firm Western security guarantees, describing the move as a major compromise.

He emphasized that any alternative security arrangement must be legally binding rather than political assurances.

On December 15, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that Ukraine's NATO membership is no longer under discussion at the international level.

Reactions from Moscow and Kyiv

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Ukraine's formal refusal to join NATO remains a cornerstone of any settlement.

Meanwhile, Russian lawmaker Dmitry Belik expressed skepticism over Kyiv's shift in rhetoric, arguing that the move may be an attempt to buy time rather than a sign of readiness for real compromise.

Constructive Tone, Cautious Expectations

Rustem Umerov described the Berlin meetings as productive and constructive, expressing hope that the talks would eventually bring the sides closer to peace.

"We hope that, in the end, we will reach an agreement that brings us closer to peace.”

His spokeswoman later clarified that the statement referred to long-term prospects rather than an immediate breakthrough.

US officials also assessed the negotiations positively. According to Axios correspondent Barak Ravid, an American official characterized the talks as productive.

Umerov acknowledged the presence of "noise and anonymous speculation” in the media but praised what he called the exceptionally constructive work of the US delegation.

Next Steps

The Berlin negotiations, described by The Kyiv Post as the most detailed talks since February 2022, covered ceasefire mechanisms, security guarantees, and economic stabilization. Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to Zelensky, announced that the Ukrainian president would issue a formal statement following the conclusion of the talks.

While both sides emphasize progress, fundamental disagreements remain, suggesting that further rounds of negotiations will be required before any comprehensive settlement can be reached.