Three killed in Russia as Ukraine claims US floated NATO membership option
A Ukrainian drone attack killed three people, including a mother, father and their 24-month-old daughter, in Russia’s Belgorod region on Saturday. The incident occurred as Ukraine claimed the United States had floated the option of NATO membership in exchange for Kyiv ceding land to Moscow.
Russian authorities confirmed the deaths in Proletarsky, a village about 20km from the border, after a drone strike hit a home. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated its forces intercepted 29 Ukrainian drones overnight, including several over the Moscow region.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 96 drones from Friday evening, with 81 shot down or electronically suppressed by early Saturday. The attacks hit eight locations, caused debris to fall in two others, and led to power outages in parts of northeastern Sumy.
The deadly drone exchange came as US-mediated talks between the two nations resumed this week, raising hopes for an early end to the war. However, apart from renewed prisoner exchanges, little progress has been reported.
NATO membership offer
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said US negotiators asked during Abu Dhabi talks whether Ukraine would withdraw its troops from Donbas in exchange for joining NATO. He noted the question had been raised for the first time but said no concrete offer existed.
NATO is back on the agenda.
Zelenskyy maintained that Ukraine would not withdraw its troops but could put the issue to a referendum if Kyiv received firm security guarantees, funding for its armed forces and money for reconstruction. He also said he would not amend Ukraine’s constitution to make it neutral.
Moscow demands a Ukrainian withdrawal from areas Kyiv still controls and opposes Ukraine joining NATO, whose members pledge to defend one another. Zelenskyy said the European Union and NATO are Europe’s 'only real security' and that Moscow’s bid to review the continent’s security was 'dangerous because … it is precisely things like this that lead to wars or escalations'.
Next steps
European representatives are set to take part in the next round of talks. The resumption of direct talks has brought renewed attention to the possibility of a negotiated settlement, though the path forward remains uncertain.
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