US proposes NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for Donbas withdrawal

The US has proposed Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for withdrawing from the remaining Donbas territory it controls, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, marking the first time such an offer was raised. Zelensky said the Americans asked if Ukraine would leave Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, but stressed no specifics have been provided. He stated he would put any deal to a public vote if Washington and allies offer a comprehensive security package including weapons and postwar funding. Russia controls about 80% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk, and Putin has demanded a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the region. Meanwhile, the US, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to include five European representatives in peace talks following trilateral discussions in Abu Dhabi.