Zelensky rejects US proposal to trade NATO membership for Ukrainian territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US proposed Ukraine join NATO in exchange for ceding territory, a proposal he rejected, stating Ukraine will not surrender its lands. He said the offer was made during negotiations and that any security package requires public consultation. Zelensky reported that Russia refused a proposed energy ceasefire during Abu Dhabi talks, claiming Russian negotiators lacked the mandate to decide. He also accused SpaceX of imposing speed restrictions on its Starshield satellite system in occupied territories, hindering drone interception efforts, and warned that a new European security framework could benefit Russia. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are preparing what could be the largest prisoner exchange since the war began. Russia has proposed NATO withdraw troops to pre-1997 positions, citing the Cold War and Warsaw Pact as a model, while the EU will be represented by Germany, France, Italy, and Poland in future negotiations.