Ukraine’s president says US negotiators raised the possibility of Kyiv withdrawing from parts of Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, but insists that any territorial decision must involve the Ukrainian people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing its remaining forces from parts of the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, bringing territorial concessions and Western security guarantees back into the centre of diplomatic discussions over Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters about the latest US-mediated negotiations with Russia, Zelensky said the American side had asked whether Ukraine would leave Donbas if it were admitted to the NATO military alliance.
According to Zelensky, this was the first time the possibility of directly linking NATO membership with a Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas had been raised during the discussions.
The remarks, reported on November 14, 2026, highlight the difficult choices facing Kyiv as Washington continues efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.
However, Zelensky made clear that Ukraine is not prepared to surrender its territory, and no final agreement on such an arrangement has been reached.
What Did the United States Raise in the Negotiations?
Zelensky described the discussion as a question raised by American negotiators rather than a completed proposal accepted by Ukraine.
He said the Americans asked: What if Ukraine joined NATO? Would it then withdraw from Donbas?
The question introduces a potentially significant change in the diplomatic debate. Ukraine has consistently sought NATO membership as a long-term security guarantee against further Russian aggression, while Moscow has repeatedly opposed the alliance’s expansion towards its borders.
Linking membership to a withdrawal from territory still controlled by Ukraine could therefore create a difficult political and military calculation for Kyiv.
The US administration has not publicly confirmed a final agreement involving this reported arrangement.
Why Is Donbas So Important to Ukraine and Russia?
Donbas is an industrial and strategically important region in eastern Ukraine, primarily comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
It has remained at the centre of the Russia-Ukraine conflict since 2014, when Russia-backed separatist forces seized parts of eastern Ukraine.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and subsequently claimed to annex both regions, although it has not established control over all the territory it claims.
For Ukraine, retaining control over the remaining areas of Donbas is important for national sovereignty, military security and the country’s future negotiating position.
A withdrawal could also create new questions about the security of neighbouring Ukrainian regions and the possibility of renewed Russian military advances.
For Moscow, control over Donbas has been one of the central objectives of its military campaign.
These competing positions have made territorial arrangements one of the most difficult issues in negotiations.
Zelensky Says Ukrainian People Must Have a Say
Despite rejecting unilateral territorial concessions, Zelensky indicated that he would not make a decision of this magnitude without consulting the Ukrainian public.
He said that if Ukraine received a comprehensive package of security guarantees, military support and reconstruction funding, he would put the broader arrangement before the Ukrainian people for consideration through a national referendum.
The proposed package could include:
- Specific security guarantees from NATO and the European Union.
- Continued support for a strong and adequately funded Ukrainian military.
- Long-term weapons and financial assistance.
- A reconstruction and recovery programme supported by identified funding sources.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine would not formally recognise occupied territories as Russian territory under such an arrangement.
He also indicated that the details of the proposed security package remained unclear and that discussions were continuing.
This distinction is important: Kyiv has not accepted a territorial withdrawal agreement, and the reported discussions have not produced a final settlement.
Abu Dhabi Talks End Without a Major Breakthrough
The latest round of US-brokered negotiations between Ukraine and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11.
The discussions brought representatives from both countries together as Washington continued its diplomatic efforts to find a possible path towards ending the war.
Although the meetings did not produce a major breakthrough, Zelensky said the two sides had agreed in principle to a prisoner exchange involving more than 1,000 people. The final numbers were still being discussed.
Humanitarian issues, security guarantees and possible ceasefire arrangements also remained important subjects.
Zelensky additionally said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had undertaken to raise the possibility of an energy ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Moscow discussions.
However, he reported no progress on that issue following the meeting.
The absence of a wider agreement demonstrates how far apart the negotiating positions remain.
Russia’s Opposition to NATO Membership Remains a Major Obstacle
Russia has repeatedly described Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as unacceptable.
President Vladimir Putin has previously cited NATO expansion and Ukraine’s Western military alignment among the reasons for Russia’s invasion.
Moscow has also demanded significant territorial and security concessions as part of any settlement.
Kyiv, meanwhile, argues that without credible international guarantees, any ceasefire could simply provide Russia with an opportunity to rebuild its military capabilities before launching another offensive.
This disagreement creates a fundamental challenge for negotiators.
Even if a territorial arrangement were discussed, Ukraine would need assurances that its security would not be weakened in the longer term.
Zelensky Rejects Changing Europe’s Security Framework Before Ending the War
Beyond the question of Donbas, Zelensky also criticised the idea of negotiating a broader European security framework before resolving the war in Ukraine.
He argued that discussions about changing the continent’s security arrangements should not take priority over ending the ongoing conflict.
His position reflects concerns that Moscow could use broader negotiations to seek changes to NATO’s military presence and the existing European security order.
European leaders have also stressed that decisions affecting the continent’s security should involve European countries directly.
The issue is particularly sensitive for countries bordering Russia and those in NATO’s eastern flank.
Zelensky’s position is that the immediate priority should remain ending the war, establishing a ceasefire and securing credible guarantees for Ukraine.
What Happens Next?
The reported US question about Donbas withdrawal has reopened an important debate about the possible terms of a future settlement.
However, several major issues remain unresolved:
- Whether the United States and other NATO members would offer Ukraine concrete security guarantees.
- Whether NATO membership could realistically be part of a negotiated arrangement.
- Whether Ukraine’s remaining territory in Donbas would be affected.
- Whether Russia would accept a settlement that preserves Ukraine’s military strength.
- Whether Ukrainian voters would support any comprehensive agreement involving territorial and security arrangements.
For now, the reported discussions remain exploratory rather than a concluded peace deal.
The next stage of diplomacy will depend on whether Washington, Kyiv and Moscow can move beyond broad negotiating positions and agree on specific security, territorial and humanitarian arrangements.
The central question is no longer simply whether Ukraine can obtain NATO membership. It is whether any proposed security arrangement can protect Ukraine without requiring concessions that undermine its sovereignty.
Sources :-
- Reuters – US floated idea of Ukraine ceding Donbas for NATO membership, Zelenskiy says (November 14, 2026)
- ABC News – US has raised the idea of Ukraine ceding Donbas to join NATO (November 15, 2026)
- Associated Press – Russia and Ukraine hold US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi
- The Kyiv Independent – Zelensky on Donbas withdrawal and security guarantees
