Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US negotiators had raised the question of a possible Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for Ukraine joining NATO, following the latest round of talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.
Zelensky reiterated his position that Kyiv had no intention of surrendering its territory. He said that if Ukraine secured a comprehensive security package, including security guarantees, a strong, well-funded national army and reconstruction funding, he would put the matter to a referendum.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Zelensky said: "The Americans raised a question: What if Ukraine joined NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas? This was the first time this question had been raised."
"That is why I believe NATO is back on the agenda. But you also heard the hints from (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, and this is a very difficult conversation," he added.
In a related development, Zelensky said Russia was "betting everything" on its military campaign this winter, calling for a package of US military aid that could force his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to end the war.
Zelensky said the Russians were "betting everything on this winter", adding that the US Congress's passage of legislation on sanctions and weapons could provide "the incentive Putin needs" to de-escalate.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained Moscow's demand for control over all four Ukrainian regions it has declared annexed, while rejecting the deployment of foreign peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
During his meeting with US President Donald Trump's envoys at the Kremlin, Putin proposed a short truce to allow civilians to be evacuated from the eastern city of Kostiantynivka.
Putin also rejected proposals to establish buffer or demilitarised zones between the two armies' positions, saying: "For us, there is only one dividing line: the state border."
The Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed at the end of a round of US-mediated talks hosted by Abu Dhabi to move forward with a major prisoner-of-war exchange deal. This was the most tangible outcome of the negotiations, amid continued disagreements over a ceasefire and security arrangements.
US envoy Jared Kushner said at a press conference following the talks that discussions with both sides had been extremely productive.
