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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.
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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.
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.
“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.
Russia and Ukraine held their first US-mediated talks in nine months on Tuesday, as Washington stepped up efforts to find a way to end the war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the meeting as “very productive”, while Zelensky called the discussions “constructive and quite substantive”.
