US proposes NATO deal for Ukraine tied to Donbas withdrawal

The US has proposed a new NATO deal to Ukraine that could involve Kyiv withdrawing from the Donbas region, marking the first time such a condition has been raised in peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said NATO is "back on the agenda" following talks in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv's refusal to retreat from its territory but said he would put the question to a referendum if Ukraine received a comprehensive security package, including guarantees, a strong army, and reconstruction funds. The proposal follows Ukraine's largest aerial attack of the war, with nearly 1,200 drones fired at Russia, killing seven people, while Russian strikes killed at least two Ukrainians. US envoys briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy after the talks, with Russia agreeing to include European countries in future discussions on postwar security arrangements. European leaders, wary of Russian maneuvering, have selected Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Poland to represent the continent in possible peace talks.