US floats NATO membership for Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
23 minutes ago
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says NATO membership is back on agenda for Ukraine. ( Reuters: Marko Djurica )
The US has raised the possibility of a security framework for Europe to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.
It's the first time the question of linking NATO membership to territorial concessions has been raised, the president said.
Mr Zelenskyy reiterated that Kyiv was not ready to concede territory.
US negotiators have floated the idea of Ukraine's potential withdrawal from its eastern region of Donbas in exchange for joining NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
This is the first time the question of linking NATO membership to territorial concessions has been raised during the talks, the president said.
"The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?"
"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."
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