Zelensky said in a meeting with journalists that the Americans offered him NATO membership in exchange for the withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from the Donbass.
"The Americans asked the question: "And if Ukraine is in NATO, will Ukraine leave Donbas? " "It was the first time," said Zelensky.
He noted that Ukraine is fundamentally opposed to giving up its territories. At the same time, according to Zelensky, if the partners offer a comprehensive security package, including a plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, he will be ready to discuss this issue in an "open dialogue with society", that is, to put it to a referendum. "But details are needed, which are not available at the moment; everything is under discussion," said the President of Ukraine.
Zelensky noted that in any case, de jure Ukraine is not ready to recognize territories occupied by Russia as Russian.
Zelensky also addressed Putin's proposal for a humanitarian truce in Konstantinovka, Donetsk region:
The Russian story about the "civilian population" in Konstantinovka is Putin's reflection on the fact that he failed to capture Konstantinovka. A completely primitive move, because otherwise he can't get this city. Putin just wants us to leave Konstantinovka, and they come in and thus power the whole city. But we are deep in the material here and take everything into account.
Zelensky, according to him, explained to Trump's special representatives that there are no civilians in Konstantinovka, and therefore the humanitarian approach is not applicable there. They apparently answered: "Yes, we understand."