Ukraine Withdraws NATO Application; Seeks Western Security Guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is willing to forgo NATO membership in exchange for stronger Western security guarantees as he engages in talks with US and European officials to end the war with Russia. He seeks alternative security assurances akin to NATO’s Article 5 but acknowledges that these would not trigger automatic collective defense. Many Ukrainians are skeptical of the negotiations, which face hurdles such as the status of the Donetsk region. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin demands Ukraine withdraw from areas under its control, complicating peace efforts.

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