US offers Ukraine NATO membership in exchange for territory – Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the United States has proposed that Ukraine cede its eastern Donbas region to Russia in exchange for joining NATO, Channels Television reports.

Zelensky said US negotiators raised the idea during the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.

“The Americans raised a question: ‘What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?’ This was the first time this had been raised,” Zelensky told reporters in remarks released by his office on Saturday.

He reiterated that Kyiv would not give up territory, but said if offered a comprehensive package, including security guarantees, a strong army and reconstruction funds, he would put the question to a national referendum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has long said Ukraine’s NATO membership is a red line, citing it as one reason for the 2022 invasion.

The talks ended on Wednesday without a major breakthrough, though both sides agreed to a prisoner exchange involving more than 1,000 people.