Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the American negotiators raised, for the first time, the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for the withdrawal of its forces from the Donbas region, following US-mediated peace negotiations with Russia in Abu Dhabi.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not give up its territory, but said he would submit any concrete proposal to a national referendum if it included NATO membership, credible security guarantees, continued military funding and reconstruction aid. According to him, no official offer was submitted.
Russia continues to demand Ukraine's complete withdrawal from the Donbass and opposes its membership in NATO.