Zelensky says Ukraine open to US proposal trading land for NATO membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the United States proposed Ukraine cede territory in exchange for NATO membership, a first-time suggestion he said he is willing to consider only within a comprehensive security package. Zelensky stated Ukraine would not surrender its territories to "terrorists" and would not recognize Russian-occupied lands as Russian. He said the full package includes specific NATO and EU security guarantees, a strong Ukrainian army with adequate funding, and a recovery plan with clear financial sources. Zelensky emphasized NATO and the EU are Europe's only "true security" and warned against Kremlin attempts to alter the continent's security architecture, saying such actions lead to war or escalation. He also met with Ukrainian mayors to discuss winter preparedness amid Russian strikes on infrastructure.