US Proposed Ukraine Trade Donbas for NATO Entry, Zelenskiy Says

US negotiators proposed Ukraine potentially ceding the Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Saturday, marking the first time territorial concessions were linked to alliance entry during peace talks. Zelenskiy said the American question was "What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?" He reiterated Kyiv's refusal to concede territory but noted he would hold a national referendum if a comprehensive package with security guarantees and rebuilding funds was offered. The talks in Abu Dhabi concluded without a major breakthrough, though a prisoner exchange involving over 1,000 people was agreed. Zelenskiy dismissed Russian proposals for a European security framework and a local ceasefire, saying Moscow prefers using frontline settlements as military targets.