US asked Ukraine to cede Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, Zelensky says

Volodymyr Zelensky said he would put the question to a referendum if Ukraine received a comprehensive security package, including security guarantees.

US negotiators have raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from its eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership during discussions on ending the war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, describing it as the first time the proposal had been brought up.

The Russia-Ukraine war has left hundreds of thousands dead, keeping global concerns about regional security high. (File Photos/AFP)

Speaking to reporters after the latest round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi, Zelensky reiterated that Kyiv was not prepared to give up its territory, reported news agency Reuters.

However, the Ukrainian leader said he would put the question to a referendum if Ukraine received a comprehensive security package, including security guarantees, a strong and adequately funded Ukrainian army, and funds for reconstruction.

‘Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?’

“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.

“That is why I believe NATO is back on the agenda. But you have also heard (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s signals, and this is an extremely difficult conversation,” Reuters reported.

The two-day meeting was the first round of such talks since February. The discussions come amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has lasted four-and-a-half years and killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians, according to analysts and humanitarian organisations.