Zelenskyy: joining NATO is a choice of Ukraine and the Alliance
- Mariia Khamitsevych
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21:17, 24 December, 2025
Zelenskyy rejected the idea of Ukraine's withdrawal from NATO. Photo: APPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine does not accept the clause on renouncing NATO membership, which was in the previous 28-point version of the plan to end the war. According to him, the decision to join the Alliance depends only on NATO member states, not on agreements with Russia.
The head of state said this during a conversation with journalists on Tuesday, as quoted by «Interfax-Ukraine».
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine does not agree to the demand to abandon the course towards NATO, which was previously included in the plan. He noted that Kyiv has arguments and a clear position on this issue.
«This is an agreement between the parties: America, Ukraine, Europe and Russia. In our opinion, it is the choice of NATO members to have Ukraine or not. And our choice has been made,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President also explained that possible separate talks between NATO and Russia on future security issues cannot determine Ukraine's choice.
According to him, even if such talks take place, they will be agreements between other parties, not Ukraine's decision, and this is of fundamental importance for the future of the state.
On the US peace plan
According to the Financial Times, the document provides for a number of restrictions on Ukraine: giving up part of Donbas, reducing the size of the Armed Forces, limiting arms and US military aid. The plan also contains provisions on recognising Russian as the second official language and granting official status to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that to end the war «both sides» would have to make «necessary concessions». The media also reported that one of the points of the plan, allegedly approved by Donald Trump, contains a proposal to transfer full control of Donbas to Russia in exchange for rent.
A written version of the document was handed over to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. Zelensky stressed that this is only the vision of the American side, not an agreed deal, and outlined the so-called «red lines» of Ukraine.
The document also provides for an investment package to rebuild Ukraine and return Russia to the global economy. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt noted that under this plan, all parties« would receive more than they would have to give».
On 22 November, US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that he could either agree to the White House's peace proposal by Thanksgiving Day on 27 November or «continue to fight with all his little heart».
Subsequently, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the list of steps within the «peace plan» had become more practical — the number of points had been reduced, «was no longer 28», and many of Ukraine's proposals had been taken into account. The President added that work on the final document was ongoing.
At the same time, Roman Kostenko, MP and Secretary of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, said that the current moment is «the worst for the entire war» for negotiations. According to him, Ukraine is currently in a losing «position».