US floated idea of Ukraine ceding Donbas for NATO membership, Zelenskiy says

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for joining NATO. This occurred following two days of US-brokered peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskiy noted that this was the first time the question of linking NATO membership to territorial concessions has been raised during negotiations.

According to Punch, the Donbas region includes Donetsk and Luhansk. Zelenskiy said that any decision regarding territorial concessions would require the consent of Ukrainians. The Jerusalem Post reported that Zelenskiy would be willing to put the question of withdrawal to a referendum if Ukraine received a comprehensive security package, which would include security guarantees, a well-funded army, and funds for rebuilding. This package would need to be confirmed by the United States and NATO allies first.

Zelenskiy stated he would not legally recognize any occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian. Le Monde English reported that Zelenskiy also noted Russia rejected an energy target ceasefire this week and is betting on its military campaign this winter.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Le Monde English, Punch Nigeria, Jerusalem Post, Punch — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.