Zelenskyy: NATO and EU guarantees could be put to Ukrainians, but Donbas will not be ceded

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US has for the first time asked whether Ukraine would be ready to leave Donbas in exchange for security guarantees, including NATO and EU membership, though he stressed Ukraine will not cede its territories. Zelenskyy said Ukraine will not recognize occupied territories as Russian under any conditions, but a real security package with NATO and EU accession could be put to Ukrainian society for discussion. He also reported Russia rejected a proposed energy ceasefire, citing lack of mandate. Regarding Kostiantynivka, Zelenskyy called Russia's "humanitarian operation" proposal a cover for occupation and further advance toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, as fighting continues inside the city. He also reported Starshield satellite communication restrictions on occupied territories for five days, calling the issue systemic with dangerous political implications.