Zelenskyy Reveals US Donbas-NATO Proposal, Warns of Putin Benefit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States proposed Ukraine withdraw from parts of the Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, while warning such a deal could benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy said the US raised the proposal for the first time during talks in Abu Dhabi, adding he would consult Ukrainian society if Western partners confirmed the offer. He rejected recognizing occupied territories as Russian and ruled out Ukrainian neutrality, stating Putin's desire to change European borders is a fact. The discussions also included a proposed European security framework, which Zelenskyy warned could weaken NATO and lead to escalation. UK envoy Jared Kushner said Washington hoped to create a framework guaranteeing decades of peace, while Ukraine's priorities included an energy ceasefire and prisoner releases.