US proposes Ukraine cede territory for NATO membership, Zelensky says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States proposed Ukraine cede territory in exchange for NATO membership, marking the first time Washington raised the question of withdrawing from the Donbas region. Zelensky told journalists Friday that Kyiv is discussing "specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU," and said he would seek approval from Ukrainian society before accepting any agreement, stating he lacks the right to decide alone. Zelensky called NATO and the EU Europe's only "true security," warning that Kremlin attempts to reshape the continent's security architecture are dangerous and could lead to new wars. He said Moscow is betting on this winter's military campaign and urged US Congress to pass sanctions and weapons packages to motivate Putin toward de-escalation.