The U.S. for the first time has raised with Ukraine the possibility of joining NATO in exchange for withdrawing from Donbas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine is discussing a comprehensive package of security guarantees with its partners, but no specific proposal has been presented, he added.
“I have said many times that Ukraine does not withdraw and does not give up its land to terrorists. The Americans asked the question: ‘If Ukraine is in NATO, will it withdraw from Donbas?’ This proposal came up for the first time,” Zelensky told reporters on Friday. Media outlets, including the Interfax-Ukraine agency, quoted his remarks on Saturday.
“We are discussing with our partners a comprehensive security package that may be offered to us during negotiations: specific security guarantees from NATO and the EU; a strong Ukrainian army, meaning an adequate troop strength, weaponry and financial support for a set period of time; and the ‘Prosperity Plan,’ a reconstruction plan backed by financing from clearly defined sources,” the president said. (PAP)
