Zelensky says US proposed Ukraine give up land for NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States had raised the idea that Ukraine could withdraw from Donbas if it joined NATO, and said Kyiv was discussing specific security guarantees with NATO and the European Union.

Zelensky told reporters on Nov. 13, in comments released on Nov. 14, that the Americans had asked: “What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?” He said it was the first time the question had been raised.

He said Ukraine was discussing “specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU”. If Western countries confirmed them, Zelensky said he would ask Ukrainians whether to accept the terms, adding that he had no right to make that decision on his own.