Ukraine has agreed to abandon its goal of joining NATO in exchange for legally binding security guarantees from the U.S., European allies, Canada, Japan, and other partners, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of talks in Berlin.

This marks a major shift for Kyiv, which had long sought NATO membership as protection against Russian aggression, and aligns with one of Russia’s key demands.

Zelenskyy described the guarantees as a compromise, aiming to prevent further Russian invasions while maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The move comes amid high-level discussions involving U.S. envoys, European leaders, and Zelenskyy, focusing on a 20-point peace plan and a potential ceasefire along current front lines, NBC News has reported.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting the summit, highlighting Europe’s ongoing support for Ukraine while negotiating an end to the conflict.