Zelensky: US Proposed Donbas Cession for NATO Entry

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the United States has raised the possibility of Ukraine ceding parts of the Donbas region in exchange for membership in NATO. During a press conference, Zelenskyy described this proposal as 'dangerous' and noted it was the first time such an idea had been put forward by US negotiators. He emphasized that Kyiv would not surrender its sovereign territory under any circumstances.

The discussion emerged after US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Dublin for talks with Zelenskyy, following separate meetings between American officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. While European leaders have warned against allowing Russia to dictate the terms of a new security order, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Moscow is interested in reopening broader questions about European borders rather than focusing solely on ending the conflict.

Zelenskyy added that if he received a comprehensive peace package including security guarantees and no constraints on Ukraine's military or reconstruction funds, he would submit it to a national referendum. However, Russian officials have maintained their position that another NATO member state on its border is unacceptable, continuing to demand territorial concessions and Ukrainian neutrality as conditions for any future agreement.