US floated idea of Ukraine ceding Donbas for NATO membership, Zelenskyy says

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv would not concede territory but would put the question to a national referendum if Ukraine received security guarantees, a right to a strong military, and reconstruction funds

TALKS. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, on the day of the European Political Community summit, following Kushner's trip to Russia, in Dublin, Ireland, on November 12, 2026.

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KYIV, Ukraine – US negotiators have floated the idea of Ukraine’s potential withdrawal from its eastern region of Donbas in exchange for joining NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, following the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.

This is the first time the question of linking NATO membership to territorial concessions has been raised during the talks, Zelenskyy said in remarks to reporters released by his office on Saturday, November 14.

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

“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.”

Putin has long said Ukrainian membership of NATO is a red line for Moscow, citing the issue as one reason for launching Russia’s full-blown invasion in 2022.

Zelenskyy reiterated his position that Kyiv was not ready to concede territory but said that if it received a comprehensive package including security guarantees, the right to a strong and well-funded Ukrainian army and funds to rebuild, he would put the question to a national referendum.

Echoing comments made by European leaders at a summit in Dublin on Friday, November 13, Zelenskyy dismissed Russia’s call for a broad agreement on European security architecture to be reached before the specifics are agreed on how to end the war in Ukraine.

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