According to Ukrainian President Zelensky, the United States has offered Ukraine NATO membership in exchange for withdrawal from Donbas. For Zelensky, this is a matter for a referendum.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States has hinted to Ukraine the possibility of NATO membership in exchange for giving up territories in Donbas. According to Zelensky, this issue was raised by American negotiators during the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.
“The Americans raised a question: ‘What if Ukraine joined NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?’ It was the first time this question was posed,” Zelensky told journalists. He added that, under certain circumstances, he would be ready to put this issue to a vote in a referendum, thus giving Ukrainian citizens the opportunity to decide on such a compromise.
Referendum in the event of a “comprehensive security package”
He reiterated that Kyiv is not ready to give up its territories. However, if Ukraine were to receive a comprehensive security package that would include security guarantees, a well-funded army and assistance for reconstruction, he would put this issue to a vote through a referendum.
“I have no right to make this decision alone,” Zelensky said. Zelensky also stressed that Ukraine does not enjoy long-term security guarantees, as the country is still not a NATO member. In the efforts currently under way to end the war against Ukraine, post-ceasefire security guarantees remain one of Kyiv’s main demands.
Russia continues to insist on its maximal demands in the war against Ukraine. One of them is that Ukraine give up territories in the south and east of the country, which Russia has annexed in violation of international law. Russia has occupied Crimea and a large part of the Donbas region, but also claims other Ukrainian territories that are currently not under its control.
Among Russia’s demands is also a “neutral” status for Ukraine. Kyiv continues to reject this demand. “If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin thinks that Ukraine’s neutrality will be enshrined permanently, that will not happen,” Zelensky said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. The goal of NATO membership is enshrined in Ukraine’s Constitution. Zelensky ruled out the possibility of a constitutional change in this regard.