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.
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.
