Zelensky Says US Asked if Ukraine Would Leave Donbas in Return for NATO Membership

Zelensky said Friday that the US asked for the first time whether Ukraine would leave the Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, following U.S.-brokered talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi. He said he would put any deal to Ukrainians, but only if Washington and NATO allies spell out a full security package.

The comments, made after visits to Denmark and Ireland, were embargoed until Saturday. The two days of talks ended with no breakthrough, though a prisoner exchange followed, and Zelensky said Russia rejected an energy ceasefire. Russia controls about 80% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk, according to Nov. 11 Institute for the Study of War estimates, and Putin has long demanded Ukraine leave the Donbas entirely. “I have no right to make that decision on my own,” Zelensky said, insisting any agreement would come without recognizing occupied territory as Russian. Leaders also agreed to send five European representatives to future talks, and US envoy Jared Kushner said he and Steve Witkoff are working on next steps.

Right-leaning outlets lead with the proposal itself. The New York Post's headline says the US floats NATO membership for giving up Donbas territory, and it adds the ISW figures, Putin's demand and Zelensky's pledge to consult Ukrainians. Breitbart, running AP text, stresses his warning that Russia could use security talks to reshape borders. On the left, CNN also leads with the land-for-NATO idea but is brief, while The New York Times covers a different Zelensky statement: speed limits of about 100 mph on Starshield over occupied areas, which he said carry political implications. The sides do not contradict each other; they differ on emphasis. Al Jazeera, an alternative outlet, centers Kushner's push for Europe-Russia talks.