According to Zelensky, the USA offers Ukraine accession to NATO if it gives up territory

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, the USA has promised Ukraine NATO membership in return for relinquishing territory. This was brought up by US negotiators after the latest round of peace talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.

"The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joined NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbass?' "This was the first time this question was asked," Zelensky told reporters.

He reiterated that Kyiv was not ready to cede territory. However, if Ukraine receives a comprehensive security package - including security guarantees, a well-funded army and reconstruction aid - he would put the question to a vote in a referendum. “I don’t have the right to make this decision alone,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky said Ukraine has no long-term security guarantees because his country is not yet in NATO. In the ongoing efforts to end the war against Ukraine, security guarantees following a ceasefire are one of Ukraine's central demands.

Russia continues to insist on its maximum demands in its war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes Ukraine renouncing the areas in the south and east of Ukraine that were annexed by Russia in violation of international law. Russia has occupied Crimea and a large part of the Donbass region, but also claims parts of the country that are not under Russian control.

Russian demands also include a “neutral” status for Ukraine. However, Kiev continues to reject this. "If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin assumes that Ukraine's neutrality will be enshrined, then this will not happen," Zelensky said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

The goal of joining NATO is enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution. Zelensky rejected a corresponding constitutional change.

The USA recently initiated talks about a reorganization of the European security architecture. In doing so, Washington is adopting the logic of the Kremlin, which has long been striving for a new order in Europe. Russia is demanding, among other things, the withdrawal of NATO troops and military infrastructure to the level before NATO's eastward expansion in 1997.

Trump regularly criticizes NATO and sows doubts about its military support for European allies. In addition, many Europeans fear further US troop withdrawals.

Zelensky now called the change in security architecture sought by Putin dangerous. This could lead to new wars. "Real security in Europe means the EU and NATO. That's all. There is no other security in Europe," said the Ukrainian head of state.