Zelenskyy says US negotiators asked if Ukraine would cede Donbas for NATO membership

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that US negotiators raised the question of whether Ukraine would cede the Donbas region if it joined NATO. According to President Zelenskyy, this specific question regarding the Donbas was raised for the first time during recent negotiations. These discussions regarding the end of the Russia-Ukraine war took place across multiple locations, including Abu Dhabi, Moscow, and Dublin.

The diplomatic efforts included a trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi that involved representatives from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. During these proceedings, a deal regarding a large-scale prisoner exchange was reached during the Abu Dhabi talks. US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before subsequently meeting with President Zelenskyy in Dublin.

Territorial Demands and Security Guarantees

President Zelenskyy stated he would put the question of ceding territory to a referendum if Ukraine receives a comprehensive security package. This proposed security package would include security guarantees from NATO and the EU, a well-funded Ukrainian army, weapon supplies, financial support, and a reconstruction plan. Despite these discussions, President Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine does not intend to officially recognize occupied territories as Russian.

The Donbas remains a key demand for Moscow in negotiations to end the war. Historian and Ukraine expert Radomyr Mokryk noted that Ukrainian fortifications in the Donbas could serve as a springboard for further Russian aggression if the territory is ceded. Meanwhile, a document reported by The New York Times stated that Russia has requested that NATO withdraw its troops and bases to the 1997 borders. These 1997 borders refer to the time before the accession of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary to NATO.

Ongoing Diplomatic Pressures

As negotiations continue, political pressure is mounting in other sectors. Democratic US senators ordered Elon Musk to preserve records on Ukraine Starlink access. The discussions in Abu Dhabi, Moscow, and Dublin represent a significant escalation in the international effort to find a resolution to the conflict, as the status of the Donbas remains a central point of contention between the parties involved.

Glossary

• EU — The EU is a union of countries that has rules allowing citizens to live and work indefinitely in other EU or EFTA countries. It also provides a framework for consular protection in non-EU/non-EFTA countries.
• referendum — A referendum is a right mentioned in the constitution. The exercise of the rights of initiative and referendum is prescribed by law.
• Donbas — The Donbas is a region that remains a key demand for Moscow in negotiations to end the war. It is a central point of contention between the parties involved.
• NATO — NATO is an organization consisting of 32 member states. It is involved in discussions regarding security guarantees and the withdrawal of troops and bases.
• Starlink — Starlink is a service used by the Ukrainian military to carry out military operations. It has been described as the essential backbone of communication on Ukrainian battlefields.