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

US negotiators have proposed the possibility of Ukraine ceding the region of Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This idea was raised for the first time during the latest peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskiy stated that the Americans asked, "What if Ukraine joins NATO?

Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?" Zelenskiy believes NATO is back on the agenda following these talks. However, he acknowledged that the conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin is extremely difficult, as Moscow considers Ukrainian NATO membership a "red line." Zelenskiy reiterated that Kyiv is not ready to give up territory but would consider the proposal if Ukraine received a comprehensive package, including security guarantees, a strong and well-funded army, and funds for reconstruction.

He dismissed Russia's call for a broad agreement on European security architecture before ending the war, stating that the war must be resolved first. Zelenskiy also rejected Putin's suggestion for a local humanitarian ceasefire in Kostiantynivka, arguing that it demonstrated Moscow's inability to capture the city by force. The talks ended without a major breakthrough, but they did agree to a prisoner exchange involving over 1,000 people.

US peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner planned to raise an energy ceasefire with Putin during a meeting in Moscow, but there was no progress reported. Zelenskiy met with the US negotiators in Ireland and confirmed that Europe would have a seat at the negotiating table in future peace talks. EU leaders at a summit in Dublin decided that Europe's negotiating team would consist of five major military powers, including Britain plus France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, along with EU officials.