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Zelensky says US negotiators raised withdrawing from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership
Volodymyr Zelensky said US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing troops from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership during discussions linked to peace talks in Abu Dhabi. He said Ukraine would not give up its territory, but could ask Ukrainians to decide on a proposal if it included security guarantees and support for the military and reconstruction.
What the reports agree on
- Zelensky said US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership. France24, Al Jazeera, Newsweek, BBC World and 1 more
- Zelensky said the idea was raised for the first time. France24, Newsweek, BBC World, CBS News
- Zelensky said Ukraine would not give up its territory. France24, Al Jazeera, BBC World
- Zelensky said Ukrainians could be asked to decide on a possible proposal if it included security guarantees and support for the military and recovery. France24, Al Jazeera, Newsweek, BBC World and 1 more
- US, Russian and Ukrainian officials held peace talks in Abu Dhabi that week. France24, Al Jazeera, Newsweek
Where reports differ
- Zelensky said the proposed withdrawal concerned parts of Donbas still controlled by Ukrainian forces. Newsweek
- Zelensky said the proposed concessions concerned parts of Donbas that Russia does not control. Al Jazeera
- Zelensky said there was no concrete offer. Al Jazeera
- Zelensky said any troop withdrawal would not mean Ukraine recognized Russian sovereignty over the territory. Newsweek
Reported by one outlet
- Zelensky said a referendum would require comprehensive security guarantees, a well-funded army and reconstruction funds. France24
- Russian authorities said a Ukrainian drone attack killed two parents and their 2-year-old daughter in Belgorod. Al Jazeera
- Zelensky said committing Ukraine to neutrality would require a constitutional change. Newsweek
- US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Zelensky in Dublin after talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. BBC World
The original reports
- CBS News U.S. reportedly floated trading Ukrainian land for NATO membership
- Al Jazeera US suggested Ukraine cede parts of Donbas to Russia to become part of NATO
- Newsweek Zelensky Says US Raised Territory-for-NATO Trade-Off
- Al Jazeera Three killed in Russia as Ukraine claims US floated NATO membership option
- BBC World US has floated Ukraine ceding Donbas for Nato membership, Zelensky says
- France24 US negotiators suggest Ukraine cedes territory in exchange for NATO membership