Ukraine indicates willingness to hold elections, abandon NATO aspirations Bild reveals

Ukrainian authorities have signalled their readiness, under certain conditions, to hold elections within 100 days and to abandon the country’s bid for NATO membership, according to a report by the German newspaper Bild.

The publication says that during talks in Berlin, Ukrainian representatives also indicated a possible willingness to freeze the current line of contact. However, Kyiv reportedly refuses to withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Donbas.

On December 9, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the timing was “appropriate” for holding elections in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported the idea, stressing that legislative changes would be required and that security must be ensured so that military personnel are able to participate in the vote.

A meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations focused on conflict resolution took place in Berlin on December 14. The U.S. side was represented by President Trump’s special envoy Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian delegation included President Zelenskyy, National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz limited his involvement to a brief welcoming statement.

Negotiations are expected to continue today, and Bild describes Catholic Christmas as the new potential deadline for reaching an agreement.

Ukraine submitted an application for accelerated NATO membership in 2022. In early December 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that there was no consensus among alliance members on Ukraine’s accession. At the same time, Axios reported that a peace plan for Ukraine has been under discussion since November includes an additional framework agreement based on the principles of NATO’s Article 5 on collective defence. Ukrainian media also reported that the 20-point document promises Kyiv corresponding security guarantees.

On December 12, Axios cited a senior U.S. official as saying that the U.S. administration is prepared to provide Ukraine with the requested security guarantees. According to the same source, the current U.S. proposal envisions Ukraine retaining 80% of its territory and receiving assistance for postwar reconstruction. These terms are set to be discussed today, December 15, in Berlin during a meeting between envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian delegation.

Russia continues to oppose Ukraine’s membership in NATO. A neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status for Ukraine is among the conditions for a peaceful settlement outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024.

By Tamilla Hasanova