Zelensky says U.S. floated NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for leaving Donbas
Zelensky said he would put any deal to Ukrainians, but he called the terms unfinished and said Russia's position on occupied land remains a sticking point.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said U.S. officials raised the idea of Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for withdrawing from the rest of the Donbas region, which Russia has not captured. He said this was the first time the issue had come up. The U.S. has not confirmed his comments, and the Kremlin did not immediately respond.
Zelensky said he would ask Ukrainians to vote on any deal only if the U.S. and NATO partners give a full security package, covering guarantees, weapons, recovery aid and funding. He said he had asked for guarantees modeled on NATO's Article 5 and that U.S. officials answered "No" when asked about deploying American troops to Ukraine. He said the deal would not recognize occupied territories as Russian. "We need specifics, and we don't have them yet," he said.
Russia controls about 80% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk, according to November estimates from the Institute for the Study of War. The U.S., Ukraine and Russia agreed to bring as many as five European representatives into talks after trilateral meetings in Abu Dhabi. Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland are expected to take part in the next round. European leaders have worried that the U.S.-brokered talks could leave Kyiv exposed.
By the numbers
- About 80%share of Donetsk Russia controls, per November estimates
Key points
- Zelensky said Washington described any guarantees as bilateral, similar to those Israel has.
- Putin has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian NATO membership and demanded full control of Donbas.
What’s next: Representatives of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland are expected to take part in the next round of peace talks.
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