US proposes Ukraine cede land to Russia for NATO membership, Zelenskyy says

The US has proposed Ukraine ceding land to Russia in exchange for NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, marking the first time Washington raised the idea. Zelenskyy said the Americans asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas if it joined NATO, and that he would seek public approval before accepting any terms. He stressed he lacks the authority to decide alone. The proposal follows US envoy meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who rejected foreign peacekeeping troops and territorial concessions. Russian officials denied the land-for-NATO issue was discussed, while European leaders were urged to choose between peace or continued war.