US floats Ukraine ceding land to Russia in exchange for NATO membership: Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States has suggested Ukraine cede land to Russia in exchange for NATO membership as diplomatic efforts continue to end the war.
Zelenskyy stated that Washington raised the proposal during discussions, asking whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas if it joined NATO. The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?' This was the first time this had been raised, he told reporters on Friday, according to AFP.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that he would not make such a decision unilaterally, saying I have no right to make that decision on my own. He added that Ukraine is discussing specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU and would consult Ukrainians on the terms if Western nations confirm them.
Diplomatic talks intensify
The proposal follows a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow earlier this week. Putin reportedly rejected foreign peacekeeping troops in Ukraine and insisted on territorial demands.
The US envoys subsequently met with Zelenskyy in Ireland, announcing that Europe would have a voice in future peace negotiations. This will allow us to address the broader postwar European security arrangements alongside the territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia, Kushner wrote on X.
The issue was not discussed during the talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow.
Russian response
Russian officials have been dismissive of the proposal. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov noted that Europeans are striving by every means possible to join the negotiations but must decide whether they want peace or continued war.
The potential territorial concessions remain a highly contentious issue with significant implications for European security.
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