US proposed Donbas land swap for Ukraine's NATO membership

The United States proposed that Ukraine cede the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, marking the first time such a land-for-security deal was raised. Zelensky said his government is discussing "specific security guarantees" from NATO and the EU, and he would consult Ukrainian society before accepting any proposal. He warned that altering Europe's security architecture could lead to more wars, calling EU and NATO membership the continent's only "real security." Zelensky also said Russia is "betting everything" on this winter's campaign and urged the US Congress to pass sanctions and weapons legislation to pressure President Vladimir Putin. EU leaders agreed to include the E5 nations in upcoming peace talks, which have so far involved only Russian, Ukrainian, and US officials.