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American negotiators have proposed that Ukraine could potentially join NATO if it agrees to relinquish the occupied Donbas region. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the offer during recent discussions in Abu Dhabi, though he reiterated that Ukraine will not trade its sovereign territory for membership, according to reports from nrc.nl.
Negotiating the Donbas status
President Zelensky stated that such a decision cannot be made by the presidency alone. Under Ukrainian constitutional processes, any formal cession of land would require a national referendum.
Zelensky emphasized that he would only consider putting such a question to a vote if Ukraine receives a comprehensive security package. This package would need to include ironclad security guarantees, financial support to maintain a large military, and dedicated funding for national reconstruction, nrc.nl noted.
Preparing for trilaterial talks
While the United States and Ukraine navigate these proposals, the parties are preparing for a new round of trilateral negotiations. According to information from the American side, these talks are intended to find a resolution to the conflict and are scheduled for November 10 and 11, vietnam.vn reported.
The upcoming sessions involve special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Following his 90-minute discussion with the American team on November 4, Zelensky said that the pace of negotiations must be accelerated to end the war as quickly as possible. He also highlighted the need for ongoing bilateral cooperation with the U.S., specifically regarding drone technology and security guarantees.
Determining the European role
A point of contention remains the participation of European delegates in the mediation process. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the television channel Vesti that Russia considers the trilateral format—Russia and Ukraine with U.S. mediation—already established and suggested that European involvement in the Abu Dhabi meetings was not part of the agreement, vietnam.vn reported.
Peskov maintained that any security guarantees must be mutual, citing the principle of “indivisible security,” which holds that one nation’s safety cannot be bolstered at the expense of another’s. Meanwhile, the exact location and specific dates for the follow-up sessions remain unconfirmed, according to nrc.nl.
U.S. government excludes NATO membership for Ukraine
Does the U.S. government support immediate NATO membership for Ukraine?
No. The American administration has consistently excluded the possibility of immediate membership for Ukraine, according to mallorca-nieuws.nl.
What is Russia’s stated position on these negotiations?
Russia continues to demand Ukrainian neutrality, restrictions on its military forces, and the formal cession of occupied territories as prerequisites for any peace deal, as reported by mallorca-nieuws.nl.
Who is representing the Ukrainian government in Washington?
Dmytro Lubinets, a Ukrainian parliamentary official responsible for human rights, is currently traveling to Washington to attend meetings regarding these ongoing diplomatic developments, vietnam.vn noted.
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