US proposes Ukraine cede territory for NATO membership, Zelensky says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the United States proposed Ukraine cede territory to Russia in exchange for NATO membership, marking the first time such a question was formally raised. Zelensky stated Friday that US officials asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from the Donbas region if it joined NATO. Russia claims annexation of Donbas, including Donetsk and Luhansk, parts of which remain under Ukrainian control. Zelensky said Kyiv is discussing specific security guarantees with NATO and the EU, and promised to consult Ukrainian citizens before accepting any agreement, stating he lacks the right to decide alone.