Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that US negotiators raised the possibility of Ukraine withdrawing its remaining forces from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to broker an end to the war with Russia.

Zelensky said the proposal was raised during recent negotiations involving Ukrainian, Russian and US representatives in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time Washington had explicitly linked Ukraine's NATO membership to a potential territorial withdrawal.

"The Americans raised a question: 'What if Ukraine joins NATO? Would Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?' This was the first time this had been raised," Zelensky said in remarks released by his office on Saturday.

He stressed that Ukraine was not prepared to surrender its sovereign territory but indicated that he would consider putting a comprehensive peace proposal to a national referendum if it included credible security guarantees, sufficient military capabilities and financial assistance for reconstruction.

"Ukraine cannot make such a decision without its people," Zelensky indicated, emphasizing that any agreement would require public approval.

The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic activity led by US President Donald Trump's administration, which is seeking to bridge major differences between Moscow and Kyiv over territory, security arrangements and Ukraine's future relationship with NATO.

Abu Dhabi talks produce limited progress

The latest diplomatic push included two days of trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, involving representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The discussions were the first such trilateral meetings since February.

US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff led Washington's efforts, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday before travelling to Dublin to brief Zelensky.

Although the talks ended without a major breakthrough on a ceasefire or territorial settlement, the parties reached an agreement in principle on a new prisoner exchange involving more than 1,000 people. Final numbers and arrangements for the exchange have yet to be settled.

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European representatives also held consultations with US and Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi, with discussions focusing on security guarantees and the framework for a lasting peace agreement.

Territorial dispute remains major obstacle

Russia controls most of the Donbas region, which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but Ukrainian forces continue to hold parts of the territory.

Moscow has repeatedly demanded that Kyiv withdraw its forces from areas of Donbas still under Ukrainian control, alongside restrictions on Ukraine's military capabilities and a commitment to remain outside NATO.

Ukraine has rejected these conditions, arguing that territorial concessions and restrictions on its armed forces would leave the country vulnerable to another Russian invasion.

Zelensky said that any potential agreement would have to include security guarantees from Western partners, the right to maintain a strong and adequately funded military, and financial resources to rebuild the country.

He also indicated that he would not make a decision on territorial concessions without consulting the Ukrainian population.

NATO membership remains a contentious issue

Ukraine has sought NATO membership as a central element of its long-term security strategy, particularly since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Moscow has consistently opposed Ukraine's accession to the alliance, describing NATO's eastward expansion as a threat to Russian security.

Russia has also revived demands it first presented in December 2021, calling for NATO to halt further expansion and withdraw military infrastructure from countries that joined the alliance after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Western governments rejected those demands at the time, while Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two months later.

The latest negotiations have once again brought Europe's wider security architecture into focus, with Russia seeking arrangements that extend beyond the immediate territorial dispute.

No breakthrough on ceasefire

Despite renewed diplomatic engagement, fundamental disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv remain unresolved.

Russia has maintained that it will not agree to stop fighting without a comprehensive settlement addressing territorial issues and security arrangements.

Zelensky, meanwhile, said Putin had not supported a US-backed proposal for an energy ceasefire during the latest diplomatic contacts. He also rejected a proposed local ceasefire around the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, arguing that it could facilitate further Russian advances.

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The latest developments suggest that Washington is exploring possible compromises between Ukraine's NATO ambitions and Russia's territorial demands. However, Zelensky's remarks do not indicate that a formal agreement has been reached, and significant differences remain over the terms of any potential peace settlement. (ILKHA)