Zelensky: US floated NATO membership in exchange for Ukraine's Donbas withdrawal
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States raised the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO on the condition that Kyiv withdraw from the Donbas region. Speaking to reporters, Zelensky said this was the first time the question had been posed. He added that Kyiv is discussing specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU, and that any agreement ending the war would be put to a Ukrainian vote, stating he has no right to decide alone. Zelensky said such a package must include concrete NATO and EU assurances, a well-funded Ukrainian army, and reconstruction support. He called Russian President Vladimir Putin's push to reshape Europe's security architecture dangerous, and reiterated Ukraine's rejection of a neutral status, a key Russian demand. Russia has occupied much of the Donbas since its February 2022 invasion and claims the entire region, while opposing Ukraine's NATO membership.
Source report
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States has held out the prospect of NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for a territorial concession.
The United States is apparently raising the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO — but under a far-reaching condition: Kyiv would have to withdraw from the Donbas.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States has held out the prospect of NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for a territorial concession. "The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas?' That was the first time this question was asked," Zelensky said on Friday to reporters in remarks that were under embargo until Saturday.
Zelensky: Decision Must Be Put to a Public Vote
The Ukrainian president added that Kyiv is discussing "specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU." If these were agreed as part of an agreement to end the Ukraine war, he would let Ukrainians vote on it. "I have no right to make this decision alone," Zelensky said. Such a package would have to include concrete assurances from NATO and the EU, a well-funded Ukrainian army, and support for reconstruction.
Zelensky called the change to Europe's security architecture sought by Russian President Vladimir Putin "dangerous." According to him, this could lead to new wars. "Real security in Europe means the EU and NATO. That is all. There is no other security in Europe," the Ukrainian head of state said.
Ukraine Rejects Neutral Status
Meanwhile, Zelensky again rejected a neutral status — one of Russia's main demands for ending the war. "If Putin assumes that Ukraine's neutrality will be enshrined, then this will not happen," he said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. He rejected a required constitutional amendment.
Background
Russia has seized a large part of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and claims the entire territory. Putin strictly rejects NATO membership for the country.
Reuters/AFP/shem
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Zelensky Says US Floated Ukraine Ceding Donbas for NATO Membership