Zelensky broke the news that the United States asked whether Ukraine could withdraw its troops in exchange for "joining the treaty"

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that after the latest round of trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, U.S. negotiators asked whether it was possible for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the Donbas region in Ukraine in exchange for joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Zelensky also said that the European Union (EU) and NATO are Europe's only "real security" guarantees, and that the Kremlin's attempts to change the European security architecture may lead to more wars.

In this comment, which he spoke to reporters on the 13th and was only allowed to be released to the public on the 14th, Zelensky reiterated his position that the Kiev authorities are unwilling to withdraw troops from Donbas. But Zelensky also said that if Ukraine can get a comprehensive security plan that includes security guarantees, a strong and well-funded Ukrainian army, and reconstruction funds, he will put the "territory cession in exchange for a treaty" to a referendum.

Zelensky said, "The United States raised a question: 'If Ukraine joins NATO, will Ukraine withdraw its troops from Donbass?' This is the first time this matter has been raised... So I think (the issue of Ukraine's membership of NATO) is back on the (negotiation) agenda. But you also heard the signal from (Russian President) Putin that this is destined to be an extremely difficult dialogue."

NATO was the product of Western countries' confrontation with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. However, not only did it not disband after the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, it gradually expanded eastward toward Russia and accepted many former Soviet vassal states. Putin has long and always opposed Ukraine's membership of NATO. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is inseparable from Ukraine's efforts to "join the treaty."

Zelensky also said that the Kremlin's attempt to change Europe's security architecture is "dangerous, because in my opinion, these are the things that lead to war or escalation... Europe's 'real security' is the EU and NATO. That's it. There are no other security guarantees in Europe."