Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the US has asked whether Ukraine would give up the part of the Donbas it still holds in exchange for Nato membership. He says he would put any confirmed offer to the Ukrainian public. Europe, meanwhile, is working out how to take part in the next round of talks.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the US has raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas in exchange for Nato membership. Washington is exploring terms for ending Russia's full-scale invasion.
The president told reporters on Friday evening that US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff asked Ukraine for the first time whether Kyiv would concede to Moscow the part of the region it still controls if the alliance admitted it. Ukraine holds about 20% of the Donbas, which Russia has failed to capture since its first incursion in 2014.
Zelenskyy would put the offer to Ukrainians
Zelenskyy said he had no right to decide alone. According to the Financial Times, he said that if Nato made a serious proposal, "I, as president, will engage in an open dialogue with the public" on whether to accept it.
However, Kyiv would not recognise the occupied territories, including the Donbas, as Russian, he added. Russia, for its part, insists Ukraine should not be part of Nato. The White House, the US embassy in Kyiv and Nato did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Europe seeks a seat at the table
The first trilateral talks since February between the warring sides and the US took place in Abu Dhabi this week. European officials joined discussions only with the Americans and Ukrainians. Russia has refused to accept them at the negotiating table.
On Friday, EU leaders agreed that a coalition of officials from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK, plus the EU and Nato, would represent Europe at technical-level talks. Two officials briefed on the Abu Dhabi talks told the FT that European capitals support the bid to restart Nato membership discussions.
Air defence and Starshield complaints
Zelenskyy said Ukraine still needs substantially greater air defence and energy assistance before winter. Denmark has pledged a €645mn package that includes €200mn for drone production, he said.
He also criticised restrictions on Starshield satellite systems that, he said, limit speeds to 161kph (100mph). SpaceX said in an email that the claim was false and that there has been no change.
Source: Financial Times
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