World·Ukraine
Update: Zelenskyy says U.S. negotiators asked for the first time whether Ukraine would leave Donbas in exchange for NATO membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. negotiators raised the question of whether Ukraine would withdraw its remaining forces from the eastern Donbas region if it joined NATO, calling it the first time the idea had come up and saying "NATO is back on the agenda," the BBC reported; Al Jazeera and Reuters said no concrete offer exists. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not withdraw its troops but could put a deal to a referendum if it included firm security guarantees, funding for its armed forces and money for reconstruction. Overnight, Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 96 drones, 81 of which were shot down or suppressed, while Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone killed three people in Belgorod.
Sources
- BBCUS has floated Ukraine ceding Donbas for Nato membership, Zelensky says
- Al Jazeera (with Reuters)Three killed in Russia as Ukraine claims US floated NATO membership option