US asks if Ukraine would trade Donbas for NATO membership

US officials asked Ukraine during this week's peace talks whether Kyiv would be willing to cede the Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He stated he would put the question to a referendum if sufficiently strong security guarantees were offered. Zelenskyy said he repeatedly stressed Ukraine's refusal to surrender territory to occupiers, prompting the American question about leaving Donbas if Ukraine joined NATO. He called it a first-time proposal, adding that Kyiv is discussing a comprehensive security package with partners, including guarantees from NATO and the EU, a strong army, and a recovery plan. Russia has long opposed Ukrainian NATO membership, citing alliance expansion as a war cause, while US officials have called it unrealistic. Moscow demands Donbas's transfer, including areas it doesn't control. This week's talks in Abu Dhabi, Moscow, and Dublin included prisoner exchange agreements and continued negotiations.