Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says American negotiators have, for the first time, linked NATO membership to the question of territory. In remarks to reporters released by his office and published on Saturday 14 November, he said: "The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?'"
A question that puts NATO back on the table
Until now, Washington had kept Ukraine's NATO membership out of the peace discussions. According to Zelensky, the question shows that "NATO is back on the agenda". It is the first time, he said, that the Alliance has been mentioned in connection with the eastern Donbas region, most of which is occupied by Russian forces and which Moscow demands in full.
The United States has not confirmed that the proposal was made, and the Kremlin has not reacted. It is also important to note that Washington cannot grant NATO membership on its own: any enlargement requires the agreement of all member states. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly described Ukrainian membership as a red line.
Kyiv's conditions
Zelensky said Ukraine is not ready to concede territory. Any such decision, he explained, could only be put to a referendum, and only as part of a comprehensive package including:
- security guarantees from NATO and the European Union;
- a strong, properly funded Ukrainian army;
- dedicated reconstruction funds.
"I have no right to make that decision on my own," he said, adding: "This war must be ended first."
Ceasefire offer rejected
Zelensky also rejected a proposal by Vladimir Putin for a local humanitarian ceasefire around the frontline town of Kostiantynivka. "Putin simply wants us to leave Kostiantynivka so that they can move in," he said. Kyiv says it has proposed instead a list of seven or eight frontline settlements where a pause could apply.
On a wider truce covering energy infrastructure, Zelensky said that "Putin personally does not support a ceasefire".
Where the talks stand
- Abu Dhabi: two days of US-brokered talks ended on Wednesday without a breakthrough. The parties did agree on a prisoner exchange of more than 1,000 people, with the final numbers still being discussed. European delegates met the American and Ukrainian teams there, but not the Russians.
- Moscow: US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a meeting on Thursday about an energy ceasefire; no progress was reported.
- Ireland: Zelensky met the two envoys on Thursday. According to Kyiv, all sides agreed that Europe will have a seat at the negotiating table.
Europe in Dublin
On Friday 13 November, an informal meeting of European leaders in Dublin discussed the war. Europe is to be represented in the talks by the so-called E5 (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland) together with the EU institutions led by European Council President António Costa. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia would come soon, along with a proposal to close Ukraine's financing gap for 2027.
Zelensky also called on the US Congress to pass legislation on "sanctions and weapons".
Why it matters
If confirmed, the American question would mark a significant change: it would tie the most sensitive issue for Kyiv, territory, to its long-standing strategic goal, NATO membership. It would also test the cohesion of the Alliance, several members of which have been reluctant to open the door to Ukraine while the war continues.
What remains to be confirmed
- Whether Washington officially made this proposal, and in what form.
- The position of other NATO members, whose unanimous agreement would be required.
- The Kremlin's response.
- The final figures and date of the prisoner exchange agreed in Abu Dhabi.
Main image: Ursula von der Leyen, Volodymyr Zelensky, Mark Rutte and António Costa, 8 December 2025 (file photo) — Dati Bendo / European Union, 2025 / EC Audiovisual Service, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
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