Zelensky says US proposed Ukraine ceding Donbas for Nato membership

US negotiators have proposed Ukraine ceding its remaining territory in the Donbas region in exchange for Nato membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, marking the first time the idea was raised. Zelensky said US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff floated the exchange during recent talks in Dublin and Moscow, as part of efforts to end the war with Russia. He added that he would put any proposal with security guarantees, no military constraints, and reconstruction funds to a national referendum. Russia, which occupies roughly a fifth of Ukraine including most of the Donbas, has demanded territorial concessions and neutrality, while Kyiv has long sought Nato membership as a deterrent. Zelensky cautioned that Putin's signals make the negotiations "extremely difficult," though he noted the proposal suggests "Nato is back on the agenda."