Image Source: BBC
Donbas has moved to the centre of a dramatic new diplomatic proposal after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing its remaining forces from the eastern region in exchange for NATO membership.
Zelensky made the revelation on Saturday following a fresh round of international discussions aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. The proposal would represent a major shift in the peace debate because Kyiv has repeatedly rejected surrendering sovereign territory, while NATO membership has long been viewed by Ukraine as a crucial security guarantee.
A dramatic Donbas proposal puts NATO back on the agenda
According to Zelensky, American officials asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from the parts of the Donbas still under Kyiv’s control if the country were allowed to join NATO. He said this was the first time the idea had been raised in such direct terms.
“The Americans raised a question: ‘What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?’” Zelensky told reporters.
The Ukrainian leader said he would consider putting such a proposal to a national referendum if it included several conditions. These would include firm security guarantees, no restrictions on Ukraine’s armed forces and financial support to rebuild the country after years of war.
- Possible NATO membership for Ukraine
- Withdrawal from Ukrainian-held parts of the Donbas
- Security guarantees against future attacks
- No limits on the size or capabilities of Ukraine’s military
- International funding for reconstruction
Why the territory remains politically explosive
Russia currently controls roughly a fifth of Ukraine, including most of Donetsk and Luhansk, the two regions that make up the Donbas. Although Moscow’s forces hold much of the area, Ukrainian troops still control strategically important sections.
Giving up those remaining areas would carry enormous symbolic weight for Kyiv. It could be interpreted as formal acceptance that the entire Donbas belongs to Russia, something Ukraine has consistently refused to recognise.
Zelensky has previously spoken about restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including areas occupied in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, as well as Crimea. Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014, but Ukraine and most of the international community reject that claim.
Russia’s demands remain far apart from Kyiv’s position
There is no indication that Moscow has accepted the reported proposal. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials have continued to demand territorial concessions and Ukrainian neutrality as part of any peace agreement.
Russia has also previously called for limits on the size and capabilities of Ukraine’s military. Kyiv argues that such restrictions would leave the country vulnerable to another invasion, particularly if future security commitments were not enforceable.
The competing positions show why negotiations remain difficult. Ukraine wants a settlement that prevents another attack, while Russia continues to seek strategic and territorial concessions that would limit Kyiv’s independence.
US diplomacy intensifies after Moscow and Dublin meetings
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff travelled to Dublin to meet Zelensky after holding talks with Putin in Moscow. The meetings formed part of renewed American efforts to bring the sides closer to a possible ceasefire or broader peace agreement.
The discussions also come after a tense period in relations between Washington and Kyiv. Disagreements have included Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, the use of Starlink communications and public criticism of Zelensky’s leadership.
US officials had previously indicated that Ukrainian NATO membership was not under consideration. Zelensky said the latest proposal made him believe the alliance was “back on the agenda”, but he warned that the issue would remain extremely difficult because of Russia’s opposition.
There have been limited signs of progress. A temporary ceasefire in the Kherson region reportedly allowed evacuations and aid deliveries, suggesting that narrow humanitarian agreements may still be possible even while the wider dispute remains unresolved.
What happens next in the peace process?
Any agreement involving the Donbas would face intense scrutiny inside Ukraine. A referendum could provide democratic legitimacy, but it could also expose deep public divisions over territory, security and the country’s future relationship with the West.
NATO membership would offer a powerful deterrent against further Russian aggression, yet membership itself would require agreement from all alliance members. It would also raise difficult questions about how NATO might respond to territory already occupied by Russia.
For now, the proposal remains an idea disclosed by Zelensky rather than a completed agreement. Russia’s response, the position of European governments and the details of any security guarantees will determine whether the initiative develops into a serious negotiating framework.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Donbas?
The Donbas is an industrial region in eastern Ukraine made up primarily of Donetsk and Luhansk. It has been a major focus of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
What did the US reportedly propose?
Zelensky said US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine leaving the remaining parts of the Donbas it controls in exchange for NATO membership.
Would Ukraine accept giving up the Donbas?
Ukraine has repeatedly rejected surrendering sovereign territory. Zelensky said he could submit a proposal to a referendum only if it included strong security guarantees, military freedom and reconstruction funds.
Why does NATO membership matter to Ukraine?
Ukraine sees NATO membership as a long-term deterrent against another invasion. Russia strongly opposes the prospect of Ukraine joining the alliance.
Has a peace deal been reached?
No. The reported proposal is part of ongoing diplomatic discussions, and major disagreements remain between Ukraine and Russia over territory, neutrality and security arrangements.
