The Media Line: US Proposes NATO Membership for Ukraine in Exchange for Withdrawal From Donbas  

US Proposes NATO Membership for Ukraine in Exchange for Withdrawal From Donbas  

By The Media Line Staff  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said American negotiators have raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing its remaining forces from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, as Washington explores potential terms for ending the war with Russia.  

In remarks released Saturday, Zelenskyy said US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff introduced the idea during recent negotiations, asking, “What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?”  

The proposal would affect territory that remains under Ukrainian control in the Donetsk region, where Kyiv holds approximately one-fifth of the area. That includes a strategically important 30-mile defensive network known as the fortress belt, which anchors Ukrainian positions along the eastern front.  

Zelenskyy maintained that Ukraine would not surrender its territory, recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied areas or accept permanent neutrality. However, he indicated that he could submit a formal territorial proposal to a national referendum if Western partners first committed to a comprehensive package of security guarantees.  

According to The Washington Post, Kyiv is seeking binding commitments from NATO and the European Union, continued military assistance and financing, and support for postwar reconstruction before considering such an arrangement.  

Although Ukraine’s prospects for joining NATO had previously been limited by opposition from Washington and other alliance members, Zelenskyy described the American proposal as evidence that membership was “back on the agenda.”  

Washington has not officially confirmed the Ukrainian president’s account. A US official told the BBC that “many ideas continue to be discussed, but any final deal will have to be agreed to by both parties.”  

The discussions follow two days of US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi that ended without a major breakthrough. However, negotiators confirmed that Russia had agreed to allow European officials to participate in future rounds, potentially expanding the diplomatic discussions as Washington and Kyiv continue examining territorial arrangements and security guarantees. discussions as Washington and Kyiv continue examining territorial arrangements and security guarantees.