Zelensky: U.S. asks about transfer of Donbass in return for Ukraine joining NATO

“We have no intention of withdrawing troops, but we will hold a referendum if sufficient security support is provided.”

(Rome = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kyung-rak Min = In the US-mediated negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, it has been reported that a plan is being considered to give Ukraine's eastern territory to Russia in return for Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

According to AFP and Reuters on the 14th (local time), President Zelensky met with reporters the day before and said, "The United States asked the question, 'What would you think if Ukraine joined NATO? Then would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?'"

President Zelenskyy told the U.S. that he had reaffirmed his previous position that Ukrainian forces had no intention of withdrawing from its eastern territories. However, he said he would put the issue to a referendum if a security support package including security guarantees and sufficient reconstruction funds was provided.

President Zelensky said, “I think the issue of NATO membership has come back on the agenda of the previous negotiations,” and added, “This is the first time such an issue has been raised.” “This is an extremely difficult discussion,” he added.

The U.S. mediation plan appears to be a desperate attempt to overcome the territorial issue, which is considered the most difficult issue in the previous negotiations. Russia is unwavering in its insistence that Ukraine hand over the entire Donbas region. Ukraine dismisses Russia's claims and maintains that the current front line should be frozen and a ceasefire should be established.

However, it has not been confirmed whether the U.S. proposal came about through consultation with Russia. It is unclear whether Russia, which is extremely sensitive to the expansion of NATO's influence, will agree to Ukraine's membership in NATO.

According to a report in the New York Times the previous day, Russia argued that NATO should withdraw its troops and bases from Poland and the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) in the negotiations to end the war. In response to this, it has been pointed out that Russia is reversing its hard-line stance at the time of the start of the war in February 2022. Finland, which shares an eastern border with Russia, objected to Russia's demand for withdrawal from NATO, calling it "not worth a second thought."

President Zelensky emphasized that “real security in Europe means the European Union (EU) and NATO,” and that “there is no other security system in Europe.” He also warned that Russia's attempts to change Europe's security structure could lead to more wars.