US proposes Ukraine cede Donbas for NATO membership, Zelensky says

The United States has proposed that Ukraine cede the Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He stated he cannot make such a decision alone and would need to consult Ukrainian society. Zelensky said American negotiators raised the question during peace talks in Abu Dhabi and Dublin, marking the first time it has been proposed. He indicated the issue could be put to a referendum if Ukraine receives specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU, plus a strong funded army and reconstruction funds. Zelensky rejected Russia's proposals for a collective defensive alliance, calling them dangerous and escalatory. He also said Moscow refuses an energy truce and is betting on a winter military campaign, though all parties agreed Europeans should join future negotiations.