U.S. negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The proposal emerged after the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy said this marked the first time negotiators had connected potential territorial concessions with Ukraine joining NATO. His office released the remarks to reporters on Saturday.

“The Americans raised a question: ’What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?” he said.

Zelenskyy said the proposal had returned NATO membership to the discussion, though he acknowledged the difficulty created by Moscow’s position. “That is why I believe NATO is back on the agenda. But you have also heard [Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ] signals, and this is an extremely difficult conversation.”

Gun Laws Have Changed! Protect yourself by knowing where you can and cannot carry your firearm, so you can travel with confidence.

Putin has long described Ukrainian NATO membership as a red line for Moscow. He has cited the issue as one reason Russia launched its full scale invasion in 2022.

Zelenskyy repeated that Kyiv was not prepared to surrender territory. However, he said he would put the issue before voters in a national referendum if Ukraine received a comprehensive package that included security guarantees, funds for reconstruction, and the right to maintain a strong and well funded army.

The Ukrainian president also rejected Russia’s demand for a sweeping agreement on European security arrangements before negotiators address the specific steps needed to end the war. European leaders made similar comments during a Friday summit in Dublin.

“We cannot turn everything upside down and start by talking about changing the security framework in the world or across the continent overall, and only then talk about ending this war. This war must be ended first,” he said.

Zelenskyy also dismissed Putin’s proposal for a local humanitarian ceasefire in Kostiantynivka, a heavily contested city in the eastern Donetsk region. He argued that the proposal showed Moscow had been unable to capture the city by force and said civilians there already had an opportunity to evacuate.

“Putin simply wants us to leave Kostiantynivka so that they can move in and occupy the entire city that way,” he said.

Ukraine has provided a list of seven or eight additional frontline settlements where civilians, including children, remain trapped and could be covered by a humanitarian truce, Zelenskyy said. He accused Russia of preferring to use those locations as military targets, while Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians during the war.

The two days of talks brokered by the U.S. between Ukraine and Russia ended Wednesday in the Emirati capital without a major breakthrough. The parties nevertheless agreed to a prisoner exchange expected to involve more than 1,000 people, though Zelenskyy said the final figures were still being discussed.

U.S. peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had promised to raise the prospect of an energy ceasefire with Putin during a Thursday meeting in Moscow, according to Zelenskyy. No progress was reported following those discussions.

“Putin personally does not support a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy met Witkoff and Kushner in Ireland on Thursday after the envoys completed their Moscow talks. He said the American negotiators told him all parties had agreed that Europe would receive a seat at the table during future peace negotiations.

European delegates met with American and Ukrainian officials during the Abu Dhabi talks but did not participate at the table with Russia. Europe is now Ukraine’s largest financial and military backer.

At the summit in Ireland, European Union leaders agreed that Europe’s delegation for any Ukraine peace negotiations would include five major military powers. The group would consist of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, along with European Union officials, even though Britain is not an EU member.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.