U.S. floats NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for Donbas, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that the United States may offer NATO membership to Ukraine in exchange for ceding the eastern Donbas region to Russia, according to a report by Investing.com. This proposal represents a potential shift in Washington's strategy for resolving the ongoing five-year war. During discussions with U.S. peace envoys, Zelenskyy was reportedly asked about the possibility of sacrificing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as part of a broader security agreement.

This marks the first time the U.S. has raised such an exchange during peace talks. The proposed framework, according to Zelenskyy, would encompass NATO and EU guarantees, along with commitments to uphold Ukraine's military capabilities. It would also allocate sufficient troops, weapons, and financial aid for a defined period, complemented by a reconstruction program funded by clearly identified sources.

Any territorial concessions, Zelenskyy emphasized, would require public endorsement rather than an unsolicited presidential decision. He stated he would seek public input if the U.S. and NATO members formally endorse the proposed security measures. The negotiations follow the recent efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to facilitate an end to the conflict, which is set to enter its fifth full-scale year in February.

Earlier this week, U.S. officials Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi, where they reported some progress. An accord on a significant prisoner exchange was reached, though substantial disagreements over territorial boundaries persist. Russia also agreed to permit EU representatives to join the negotiations, with the bloc anticipated to designate its envoys by the end of November.

Separately, Zelenskyy expressed concerns about restrictions imposed on SpaceX's Starshield satellite communications terminals in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. These limitations are hindering Ukraine's air defense against Russian drones and missiles.