Donbas and NATO bargaining in peace talks with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said U.S. negotiators have for the first time raised the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for withdrawing from the Donbas, signaling a potential shift in peace talks with Russia. Zelenskiy said he could put the option to a national referendum if Ukraine receives comprehensive security guarantees and economic support, while insisting Kyiv will never accept occupied territories as Russian under any circumstances. The proposal matters because it links two of the conflict's most intractable issues—NATO membership and control of the Donbas—and could open a path to a settlement. What to watch next is whether Washington formalizes the offer, what security and economic guarantees accompany it, and whether Moscow signals flexibility on the Donbas in return.