President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States proposed that Ukraine join NATO in exchange for ceding the Donbas region in the east of the country to Russia, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.
Zelensky disclosed the proposal to reporters on the 14th. Ukraine restated its position that any decision on territory requires a national referendum, he said.
The US had until now been negative about Ukraine joining NATO. The new proposal appears aimed at breaking the deadlock over territory, but Russia strongly opposes Ukrainian membership, making it unlikely to happen.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who mediates talks with Russia, and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, met Putin and Zelensky in succession on the 12th.
“This is the first time such points have been put forward.”Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
Ukraine wants to join NATO but rejects ceding territory, and says a national referendum would also be needed for any withdrawal of Ukrainian troops.
If the US and other NATO members make a concrete proposal, Zelensky said he would ask Ukrainian society whether to accept it. "I have no right to decide that alone," he said.
Zelensky also rejected a proposal by Putin for a localized ceasefire and humanitarian aid in the eastern stronghold of Kostiantynivka. He said the aim was to let Russian troops enter the city and occupy all of it.
Fighting is taking place inside Kostiantynivka, which Ukraine controls. Zelensky said residents have already been given the chance to evacuate.