US proposes that Ukraine cede territory to Russia in exchange for NATO membership, says Zelensky

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that the United States raised, for the first time, the possibility of the country withdrawing its troops from the areas of Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, which are not yet under Russian control, in exchange for joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Zelensky, however, reiterated that Kiev will not give up its territory and warned that Moscow could take advantage of the negotiations to weaken NATO and try to change Europe's borders.

According to the Ukrainian president, the US also raised the possibility of creating a new security structure for the continent as part of efforts to end the war with Russia.

"In my opinion, this could be dangerous," Zelensky told reporters on Friday (13), when commenting on the proposal. "That shouldn't be the main agenda."

According to Zelensky, Moscow would be more interested in re-discussing European security than in concentrating its efforts on ending the war, which has already lasted four and a half years.

"Putin's desire to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am sure this is part of his plan to review security guarantees in Europe," he said. "This is dangerous because, in my opinion, it is precisely things like this that lead to wars or the escalation of conflicts."

European leaders have advocated that decisions about the continent's security be taken by the region's countries themselves.

They also warn of the risk of allowing Russia to determine the terms of a new security structure or negotiate the future of NATO.

Zelensky said that Ukraine is negotiating a broad security package with its allies, which could include specific guarantees from NATO and the European Union, the strengthening of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and financial support for a specified period. The proposal also provides for a reconstruction plan for the country.

"If the Americans confirm exactly this to us, together with other NATO partners, I will ask Ukrainian society what it thinks: do we accept it or not?" Zelensky said.

The president stressed that any agreement would not mean recognizing the Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow as Russian. Zelensky also ruled out the possibility of Ukraine taking a position of neutrality, arguing that this would require a change to the country's Constitution.

On another front in the conflict, Ukrainian forces attacked an important Russian oil installation that supplies Moscow's war effort, according to a statement released this Saturday by the Ukrainian General Staff. Ukrainian attacks hit an oil pipeline station near the village of Prosvet, in the Russian region of Samara, on Friday (13), and caused fires in several oil storage tanks, according to the Ukrainian military. The military also reported that its forces attacked the Lipetsk-2 airfield in Russia's Lipetsk region.

Zelensky warned that broader discussions about European security could open space for Putin to demand changes to NATO's military presence on the continent, including the withdrawal of American troops. According to the Ukrainian president, Putin had already presented similar proposals to the then president of the United States, Joe Biden, in 2021.

"I think Putin will mention Finland and Sweden. I'm sure he will raise the issue of Hungary and the presence of American troops in the Baltic countries," Zelensky said.

Zelensky said Ukraine's priorities in the Abu Dhabi talks include halting attacks on energy facilities, reopening the Black Sea, releasing prisoners and preparing a meeting between the countries' leaders to try to end the war. The Ukrainian president also stated that talks held in Moscow with American negotiators resulted in an agreement to exchange more than a thousand prisoners from each side.

Zelensky accused SpaceX of imposing restrictions on the operation of the Starshield satellite system in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. According to him, the limitations have made it difficult to intercept Russian drones. The president stated that the speed allowed by the system was limited to 161 km/h in occupied areas and that the restrictions had been in force for five days.