Zelenskyy says bilateral security guarantees a ‘compromise’ on Ukraine’s NATO accession

Speaking with journalists, Zelenskyy recalled his country’s long-standing position to join the alliance as this provided it with “real security guarantees,” but said some of Kyiv’s partners in the US and Europe did not support this course.

He said Ukraine is now pursuing bilateral security guarantees with Washington, namely “ Article 5-like guarantees,” referring to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, as well as guarantees from European and other countries, including Canada and Japan.

“These security guarantees for us are an opportunity to prevent another coming of Russian aggression. And this is already a compromise on our part,” Zelenskyy said, according to the RBC-Ukraine news agency.

Zelenskyy’s statement marks a major shift in Kyiv’s approach to NATO membership, which was enshrined in Ukraine’s Constitution as a goal following a parliamentary vote to introduce constitutional amendments back in 2019.

Russia has regularly voiced opposition to Ukraine’s accession to NATO.