KYIV — The United States has for the first time proposed that Ukraine withdraw from parts of the eastern Donbas region in exchange for potential NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday. The remarks, released under embargo, follow two days of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, which concluded without a breakthrough.
Core Developments
- US negotiators raised the question: “What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?” for the first time during the talks, according to Zelenskyy. The proposal links territorial concessions to security guarantees.
- No territorial surrender confirmed: Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not concede sovereign territory but stated he would consult the public via referendum if a comprehensive security package—including NATO and EU guarantees, military funding, and reconstruction aid—were confirmed.
Context and Reactions
The proposal emerged during a round of trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi, attended by US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, alongside Russian and Ukrainian officials. While no formal agreement was reached, all parties agreed to include European representatives in future talks. Zelenskyy met with European leaders in Denmark and Ireland following the discussions.
Russian Position and Ceasefire Proposals
Russia rejected a proposed energy-target ceasefire during the talks, Zelenskyy said, calling Moscow’s demands to redraw Europe’s security architecture “dangerous” and warning they could escalate the conflict. He also dismissed a Russian proposal for a local humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka as a tactic to force Ukrainian withdrawal from the embattled city in Donetsk Oblast.
Security Guarantees and Public Consultation
Zelenskyy framed the US proposal as part of broader discussions on security guarantees from NATO and the EU, which could include a strong Ukrainian military and financial support. He emphasized that any arrangement would not involve recognizing occupied territories as Russian and stressed that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits neutrality. “If the American side confirms precisely this to us, together with other NATO partners, then I will ask our Ukrainian society what it thinks: do we accept it or not?” he said.
European and US Roles
European leaders, including those at an EU summit in Dublin, have insisted that decisions about European security must be determined by Europeans, rejecting Russian influence over NATO’s future. US negotiators have signaled openness to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, though no concrete proposal has been finalized. Zelenskyy described the conversation as “an extremely difficult” one, given Russia’s long-standing opposition to Ukrainian NATO membership.
Ongoing Challenges
The talks in Abu Dhabi marked the first trilateral negotiations in nine months, with no immediate resolution to the war in sight. Zelenskyy also highlighted ongoing restrictions on Ukraine’s access to the Starshield satellite system, which is critical for military operations and intelligence gathering.
Background: Donbas and NATO
The Donbas region has been a flashpoint since 2014, with Russia-backed separatists controlling parts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. Ukraine’s push for NATO membership has been a central demand to deter future aggression, though Russia has repeatedly framed it as a provocation. The US proposal introduces a new dimension to the debate, tying territorial concessions to alliance membership.