The United States has hinted to Ukraine at the possibility of joining NATO in exchange for giving up territories in Donbas, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This issue was raised by American negotiators during the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi, Zelensky told reporters.
According to him, it was the first time such a question had been put: “What if Ukraine joined NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?”. The Ukrainian president added that, under certain circumstances, he would be willing to put this issue to a vote in a referendum.
Thus Ukrainian citizens would have the opportunity to decide on such a compromise. Zelensky reiterated that Kyiv is not ready to give up its territories. But, he stressed, if Ukraine were to receive a comprehensive security package, which would include security guarantees, a well-funded army and assistance for reconstruction, he would put the issue to a vote through a referendum.
“I have no right to make this decision alone,” Zelensky said. According to the Ukrainian president, Ukraine does not enjoy long-term security guarantees, since the country is still not a NATO member. In the efforts currently under way to end the war against Ukraine, security guarantees after a ceasefire 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.
It also claims other Ukrainian territories that are currently not under its control. Among Russia’s demands is also a “neutral” status for Ukraine, which Kyiv continues to reject. “If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin thinks that Ukraine’s neutrality will be enshrined permanently, that will not happen,” Zelensky said, according to the Interfax-Ukraina news agency.
The aim of NATO membership is enshrined in Ukraine’s Constitution and Zelensky rejected the possibility of a constitutional change in this regard.