US proposes Ukraine cede territory in exchange for joining NATO: Zelensky

The United States has proposed for the first time that Ukraine potentially cede land to Russia in exchange for joining NATO, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This suggestion came during Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi, which concluded without a breakthrough but agreed to include European officials in future negotiations.

Zelensky stated that Russia had rejected an energy target ceasefire proposal during the talks. He warned that Russia is "betting everything" on its war with Ukraine and that the Kremlin's demands to redraw Europe's security architecture are "dangerous" and could lead to more conflicts. Zelensky's remarks were made after meetings with European leaders in Denmark and Ireland, following the talks.

The US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff attended the sessions and subsequently met with Putin and Zelensky separately. Moscow declined a proposal for a ceasefire in attacks on energy targets. Zelensky also said that Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from the city of Kostyantynivka, which it claims is still under its control, in order to occupy the entire region.