Zelensky: US Proposed Territorial Concessions in Donbas in Exchange for NATO Membership

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently traveled to Moscow following a second round of trilaterals in Abu Dhabi.

The 10 and 11 November meetings in Abu Dhabi marked the second round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, mediated by Washington. Following those sessions, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before reaching Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin, where the Kyiv leader was meeting with European allies.

Zelensky Addresses Territorial Proposals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the United States proposed the cession of Ukrainian territory in exchange for NATO membership, according to an interview in Kyiv reported by France Presse and Ukrinform.

“The Americans asked me: ‘What if Ukraine enters NATO, would it withdraw from Donbas?'” Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv, as noted by Ukrinform.

“I have repeatedly stated that Ukraine will not surrender and will not cede its territories to terrorists,” Zelensky said, according to Ukrinform.

“If the American side confirms this along with other NATO colleagues, then I will ask the opinion of our society: do we accept this or not? I do not have the right to do this at my discretion. But we need details, which are not currently available, and all this is under discussion,” Zelensky said.

“Naturally, without any recognition of the occupied territories by Russia,” Zelensky emphasized. “Yesterday I told the American counterpart: ‘When Putin speaks of state borders, it is certainly not a reduction of Russian territory, right? That is why there is no trust in the comrade in the Kremlin.’ And the way he behaves and what he says only complicates all American mediation and delays the end of the war.”

Zelensky added that he would put any concrete security package involving NATO and European Union membership before the public for a decision. At the same time, the Ukrainian leader emphasized that Kyiv would not recognize temporarily occupied territories as Russian.

WTA Finals Controversy in Indian Wells

Aryna Sabalenka faced accusations from the Ukrainian Tennis Federation following her defeat at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, where Elina Svitolina won 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 to eliminate the world number two from the group stage, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

Elina Svitolina reached the semifinals by defeating former WTA number one and current number two Aryna Sabalenka, who had entered as the tournament favorite following the withdrawal of Elena Rybakina.

Aryna Sabalenka paid a heavy price for the defeat against Elina Svitolina, which matured with the score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 after one hour and 55 minutes.

The Ukrainian governing body published footage on social media alleging that Sabalenka used offensive language in Russian directed at Svitolina during the match, according to ANSA. Official bodies have not confirmed the interpretation, and the audio remains unclear.

The images show Sabalenka uttering words that, according to the reading proposed by the Ukrainian body, could be addressed to her rival: “Quei f…i ucraini, per l’amor del cielo” or “quella f….uta stronza ucraina, per l’amor del cielo”.

A few days ago, Aryna Sabalenka herself was the subject of a vulgar comment by a journalist from a French broadcaster who, while commenting on a Finals match and thinking he was speaking off-air, said of her “look, look, it’s horrible”. Many defended the tennis player and an executive brought the apologies of the TV, with the Belarusian player who did not comment or react.

Unresolved Diplomatic Questions

While recent discussions in Abu Dhabi yielded progress on a large-scale prisoner exchange and future European participation in negotiations, core disagreements regarding territorial control and security guarantees remain without a breakthrough, according to RaiNews.

Zelensky said that detailed security packages from international partners are still under discussion, leaving the timeline for final agreements open as diplomatic channels continue.