Zelenskyy says US floated NATO membership for Donbas, but Kyiv rejects land-for-security deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US raised the possibility of NATO membership in exchange for Ukraine ceding the Donbas region, but Kyiv rejects territorial concessions. He would submit such a decision to a national referendum under certain conditions. Zelenskyy stated the topic emerged during peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi, linking it to comprehensive security guarantees, a well-funded army, and reconstruction aid. He stressed he lacks the right to decide alone on territorial issues, though Moscow firmly opposes Ukrainian NATO membership. Russia demands Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk and a neutral status, which Kyiv refuses. Zelenskyy called Putin's security architecture plans dangerous, while Russia has occupied much of the Donbas since its 2022 invasion.