Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says U.S. negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from parts of the Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, putting territorial control and future security guarantees at the centre of the latest diplomatic effort.
Zelenskyy described the proposal as a question raised by the American side during negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
His account has not been presented as a finalized agreement, and the reported idea would require decisions involving Ukraine’s government, parliament and potentially the Ukrainian public.
The disclosure came as Kyiv pressed for stronger Western guarantees and greater European involvement in talks over how to end Russia’s war.
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What Zelenskyy says was discussed
Zelenskyy said the United States asked whether Ukraine would consider withdrawing from Ukrainian-held portions of the Donbas if the country were subsequently admitted to NATO.
The Donbas includes the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, much of which has been occupied by Russia during the conflict.
According to Zelenskyy, the question represented the first time during the current diplomatic process that Washington had directly connected a possible withdrawal from the region with NATO membership.
The Ukrainian president has rejected the idea that surrendering territory would necessarily produce lasting peace.
He has argued that Russia could treat a territorial concession as a pause before renewed military pressure rather than as the final settlement of the conflict.
Ukraine’s official account of the talks has emphasized the need for “truly” strong security guarantees, while also calling for Europe to have an equal role in decisions affecting the continent’s security.
Why the proposal is politically sensitive
For Ukraine, the Donbas question is tied directly to sovereignty, territorial integrity and the future of communities that have lived through years of fighting and occupation.
Any formal decision to recognize Russian control or permanently abandon claims to Ukrainian territory would carry major legal and political consequences.
The timing is also significant because NATO membership would not be an automatic result of a U.S. proposal.
Ukraine could seek membership, but NATO decisions require agreement among the alliance’s members.
NATO says Ukraine is a country that wishes to join, while the alliance’s member states are responsible for deciding whether membership is granted.
That means a territorial concession would not, by itself, guarantee that Ukraine would receive the collective-defence protections associated with Article 5.
Ukraine’s position on security guarantees
Kyiv has been seeking security arrangements that would deter another Russian attack if an eventual ceasefire or peace settlement is reached.
The Ukrainian government has also insisted that Europe must be directly involved in negotiations about the country’s future.
During meetings in Dublin on November 12, Zelenskyy discussed security guarantees with European leaders, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, according to the Ukrainian presidency.
The same discussions covered air defence, energy protection, financial resilience and continued assistance as Russian strikes persisted.
Ukraine’s negotiating position has therefore involved more than NATO membership alone.
It has also included bilateral commitments, military support, sanctions against Russia and a broader European role in enforcing any future settlement.
Where the peace process stands
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been involved in recent discussions with Ukrainian and Russian representatives.
The Ukrainian presidency said the latest talks produced agreement in principle on continued diplomatic work, a larger role for European representatives and efforts toward a major prisoner exchange.
The negotiations have not produced a publicly announced comprehensive peace agreement.
Major issues remain unresolved, including the status of occupied territory, the future size and capabilities of Ukraine’s military, sanctions, reconstruction and the form of outside security guarantees.
Russia’s position on the Donbas remains central to the negotiations, while Kyiv continues to oppose an arrangement that would simply legitimize territorial seizure by force, as discussions with Russian representatives continue.
The reported U.S. question could therefore become a test of whether Washington’s diplomatic approach is seeking a temporary battlefield settlement or a broader political agreement acceptable to Ukraine and its European partners.
What happens next
Ukraine is expected to continue consultations with the United States and European governments before accepting or rejecting any detailed framework.
European leaders have been seeking a formal place in negotiations because any postwar security arrangement would affect the continent’s defence planning and relations with Russia.
NATO membership would also require a separate political decision by the alliance, rather than a bilateral commitment from Washington alone.
For now, Zelenskyy’s comments indicate that territory and security guarantees remain linked in the negotiations, but no final trade-off has been announced.
The next significant developments are likely to involve clarification of the U.S. proposal, Russia’s response and whether European governments support the suggested security framework, including Canada’s defence commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Zelenskyy say the United States proposed?
Zelenskyy said U.S. negotiators asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of the Donbas in exchange for possible NATO membership.
Has Ukraine agreed to give up the Donbas?
No. Zelenskyy’s comments describe a proposal or question raised during negotiations, not a finalized agreement accepted by Ukraine.
What is the Donbas?
The Donbas is an eastern Ukrainian region that mainly includes Donetsk and Luhansk, much of which has been occupied by Russia.
Would a U.S. proposal automatically make Ukraine a NATO member?
No. NATO membership requires agreement from the alliance’s member states and would involve a separate political decision.
What happens next in the Ukraine peace talks?
Further discussions are expected among Ukraine, the United States, Russia and European governments, with territory and security guarantees still unresolved.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against official statements from the Ukrainian presidency and NATO’s published information on Ukraine’s membership process and relationship with the alliance.
Disclaimer: The reported proposal remains part of an evolving diplomatic process and should not be treated as a concluded peace agreement or NATO accession decision.