Zelenskyy Reveals US Proposal to Link NATO Membership to Donbas Territorial Concessions

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has disclosed that US negotiators suggested Ukraine could cede portions of the eastern Donbas region in exchange for joining NATO. This proposal emerged following recent peace talks held in Abu Dhabi and Ireland, marking the first time the possibility of linking NATO membership to territorial concessions has been formally raised.

According to Zelenskyy, the US questioned whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas to facilitate NATO entry. The president clarified that the areas in question were parts of Donbas that Russia does not currently control. While Zelenskyy refused to cede territory, stating that Vladimir Putin's desire to redraw European borders is dangerous and leads to escalation, he indicated a potential exception. He noted that if the US and other NATO partners provided a comprehensive package—including security guarantees, military aid, reconstruction funds, and a recovery plan—he would submit the question of ceding parts of Donbas to a national referendum.

Zelenskyy emphasized that any such arrangement would not involve recognizing occupied territories as Russian and firmly rejected the idea of Ukraine committing to neutrality, as it would require a constitutional change. He stated that neutrality is not an option, noting that Ukraine is not currently a member of NATO.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, hostilities continue. Russia and Ukraine have reported numerous overnight attacks, including Russian reports of 1,200 Ukrainian drones targeting oil infrastructure and Ukrainian reports of strikes on a hospital and the port of Odesa. Additionally, Ukraine reported a damaged residential building in Zaporizhzhia following an air attack.

At a recent summit in Ireland, EU leaders decided that Europe's representation in Ukraine peace talks would consist of EU officials and five major military powers: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and non-EU member Britain. These representatives will engage in discussions with US and Ukrainian officials, but will not include Russia in these specific talks.