World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Zelensky says US raised NATO membership in exchange for Ukraine leaving Donbas
US officials asked whether Ukraine would leave Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Donbas includes the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian forces have been unable to capture all the territory since 2014.
Zelensky said Ukraine is discussing a security package involving NATO and EU guarantees, along with a strong Ukrainian army and funding for recovery.
He said the United States has not confirmed specific terms, and that US officials told him American troops would not be deployed in Ukraine under the guarantees discussed.
Zelensky said he would put any proposed deal to Ukrainians rather than decide alone, and that it would not recognise occupied territory as Russian.
The US-mediated talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi ended without a major breakthrough on territory, while Moscow continues to seek control of all Donbas.
The proposal remains under discussion, with no final terms yet.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US negotiators asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas in exchange for joining NATO.
He said this was the first time the question had been raised, but no concrete offer had been made.
Zelensky said Ukraine would not withdraw its troops and would put any potential deal to Ukrainians only if firm security guarantees and other support were provided.
The question was raised during US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
Moscow demands that Ukraine withdraw from areas of Donbas still under Kyiv’s control and opposes Ukraine joining NATO.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US negotiators raised the question.
- What
- They asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas in exchange for joining NATO. Zelensky said there was no concrete offer.
- When
- Zelensky spoke to reporters on Friday, November 13; his comments were released on November 14, 2026.
- Where
- The question was raised during talks in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- The question concerned a possible arrangement linking Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbas with NATO membership.
Ukraine
Russia
Donbas withdrawal
Ukraine
Zelensky said Ukraine would not withdraw its troops from Donbas and that any deal would need to be considered by Ukrainians.
Russia
Moscow demands a Ukrainian withdrawal from areas of Donbas still controlled by Kyiv.
NATO membership
Ukraine
Zelensky said Ukraine’s NATO membership was back on the agenda and described the EU and NATO as Europe’s “only real security.
Russia
Moscow opposes Ukraine joining NATO.
US-mediated talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives took place in Abu Dhabi.
Zelensky told reporters that US negotiators had asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas in exchange for joining NATO.
Zelensky’s comments were released publicly.
- Proposed exchange
- Donbas withdrawal for NATO membership
- Location of talks
- Abu Dhabi
- Talks dates
- November 10–11, 2026
- Zelensky’s comments
- November 13, 2026
- Publication date
- November 14, 2026
7 sources
US floated idea of Ukraine ceding Donbas for NATO membership, Zelenskiy says
US proposes Ukraine cede territory in exchange for joining NATO, says Zelensky
Three killed in Russia as Ukraine claims US floated NATO membership option
Ukraine: Zelenskyy says security deal could go to referendum
زيلينسكي رداً على سؤال أمريكي: لا تنازل عن دونباس مقابل «الناتو»
US floats NATO membership for Ukraine in exchange for Donbas withdrawal, Zelensky says
What people are saying
The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?' This was the first time this had been raised
NATO is back on the agenda.
But we need specifics, and we don’t have them yet. All of this is still under discussion.