The Kremlin has described Ukraine’s push to join NATO as one of the “root causes” of the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out Ukrainian membership in the Western defensive alliance. Zelensky is searching for compromises that could secure a peace deal to end Russia’s ongoing invasion.

President Zelenskyy’s comments mark a major shift for Ukraine, which has fought hard to join NATO in recent years.

Negotiators solved probably “90% of the issues between Ukraine and Russia ,” the U.S. official told reporters, and Trump “believes he can get Russia to accept” the “NATO-like” guarantee and European Union membership for Ukraine.

Finnish prime minister calls for more money for frontline states ahead of first summit of countries bordering Russia

Move marks big shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join Nato as safeguard against Russian attacks

The latest proposal is designed to deter future Russian aggression. But Russia is not part of the talks and has shown little willingness to negotiate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday voiced readiness to drop his country’s bid to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees.

Ukraine claimed it carried out an underwater drone strike on Dec. 15, the first such attack in maritime warfare, that critically damaged a Russian Kilo-class attack submarine at the Russian port of Novorossiysk,

Kremlin spokesman says Washington not actively informing Moscow of progress in Berlin talks but expects to hear from US after conclusion of talks - Anadolu Ajansı