US floats new NATO deal to Ukraine, raising potential withdrawal from Donbas

Detailed summary

United States negotiators have raised Ukraine's potential withdrawal from ‌its eastern region of Donbas in exchange ‌for joining NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy…

United States negotiators have raised Ukraine's potential withdrawal from ‌its eastern region of Donbas in exchange ‌for joining NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The proposal came following the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy reiterated his position that Kyiv ‌was not ‌willing to ⁠retreat from its territory.

But he said that if Ukraine received a comprehensive security package, that includes security guarantees, a strong and well-funded Ukrainian army and funds ⁠to rebuild, he ‌would put the question to a referendum.

"The Americans raised a ‌question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?' This was the first time this had been raised," Zelenskyy told reporters in remarks released by his ‌office on Saturday.

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"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."

The developments came after Ukraine fired almost 1,200 drones at Russia in one of its biggest aerial attacks since the Russian full-scale invasion nearly five years ago.

Russia's defence ministry said its forces downed 1,198 Ukrainian long-range drones between late Thursday and early Friday.

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