# Zelensky: U.S. Proposes Territory-for-NATO Trade-Off

> U.S. asks Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas for NATO membership, Zelensky says.
- Title: Zelensky: U.S. Proposes Territory-for-NATO Trade-Off
- Summary: U.S. asks Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas for NATO membership, Zelensky says. U.S.
- Keywords: ukraine, nato, donbas, u.s. military, territory-for-nato trade-off, zelensky, donald trump, marco rubio, european union, russia, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/zelensky-us-raised-territory-nato-trade-off-12715459
- Published: 2026-11-14T14:35:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ukraine, nato, donbas, u.s. military, territory-for-nato trade-off, zelensky, donald trump, marco rubio, european union, russia
## U.S. Proposes Donbas Withdrawal for NATO
U.S. negotiators asked Ukraine if it would withdraw troops from eastern Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, Zelensky says.

> The Americans asked: 'If Ukraine joins NATO, will Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?'
## Zelensky Rejects Neutrality and Russian Sovereignty
Zelensky insists Ukraine won't recognize Russian claims to occupied territories or commit to neutrality, requiring constitutional changes.

> If Putin expects Ukraine’s neutrality to be enshrined, that’s not going to happen
## Trump's Previous Stance on NATO
Trump previously ruled out Ukraine joining NATO, saying they wouldn't be part of the alliance and urging European nations to defend Ukraine.

> They’re not going to be a part of NATO
## Rubio Downplays NATO Membership
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Ukraine's NATO membership requires unanimous agreement among all NATO allies and is not currently feasible.

> Right now, we’re simply focused, when it comes to Ukraine, on the ending of this conflict, if that’s possible
## Zelensky's Security Framework Proposal
Zelensky discusses a broader framework including security guarantees from NATO and EU, military funding, and postwar reconstruction funds for Ukraine.

> If the American side confirms precisely this to us, together with other nato partners, then i will ask our ukrainian society what it thinks
## Zelensky Warns of Border Changes
Zelensky warns Putin could use negotiations to weaken NATO and redraw European borders, risking war or escalation.

> Putin’s desire to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am sure this is part of his concept of revising security guarantees in Europe
## European Involvement in Talks
EU leaders agreed to send E5 nations to peace talks to secure a permanent role in negotiations with Russia.

> The best way to get Russia to the table is to keep up our support for Ukraine and to keep maximum pressure on Russia
## Key takeaway

U.S. negotiators proposed Ukraine withdraw troops from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, but Zelensky insists Ukraine won't recognize Russian claims to occupied territories.