Ukraine: Zelenskyy says security deal could go to referendum

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said US peace envoys asked whether Kyiv would withdraw from its eastern region of Donbas in exchange for joining NATO, according to remarks to the media published on Saturday.

The suggestion was made following the latest round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi to bring Russia's nearly 5-year war in Ukraine to a close.

What did Zelenskyy say?

The Ukrainian leader told reporters: "The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?'"

Zelenskyy repeated Kyiv's position that it was not willing to cede territory to Russia. But he added that if the country reached a comprehensive deal, including security guarantees, a strong and well-funded Ukrainian army and funds to rebuild, he would put the question to the public in a referendum.

"That is why I believe NATO is back on the agenda. But you have also heard [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's signals, and this is an extremely difficult conversation."

Zelenskyy said the prospect of NATO membership in exchange for withdrawing from Donbas has not been raised before.

He also warned about Moscow's plan to change the continent's security architecture, saying it could lead to more conflict.

Putin has demanded that NATO pull back its troops from the Russian border, which European Union leaders have strongly criticized.

"This is dangerous because, in my view, it is precisely things like this that lead to wars or escalations," Zelenskyy added.

"Real security in Europe means the EU and NATO. That's it. There is no other security in Europe."

Europe to play bigger role in peace talks

On Friday, the EU said several European diplomats would take part in future Ukraine peace talks, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Poland.

Moscow has long insisted that European states be excluded from the negotiations because they support Ukraine.

Russian forces strike Zaporizhzhia

The comments come as Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had captured the settlement of Tersianka in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, news agency Interfax reported.

Interfax cited the ministry as saying that Russian forces had struck Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure used by the military, along with ammunition depots and drone production and storage sites.

Russia has targeted power stations across Ukraine in waves of ballistic and cruise missile attacks, cutting power and heating to millions of people as temperatures plunge.

Zelenskyy warned that Putin was "betting everything" on this winter's war campaign, which Kyiv insists is aimed at hurting public morale.