Zelensky says US asked whether Ukraine would leave Donbas if it joined Nato

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday 13 November 2026 that American representatives had asked directly whether Ukraine's forces would withdraw from Donbas once Ukraine joined Nato. He said this was the first time such a proposal had been made. He also stressed that Ukraine does not give up its land and that no concrete proposal had been presented.

Donbas is a region in eastern Ukraine that includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Part of this area remains under Russian control.

Security package under discussion

Zelensky said Kyiv is discussing a comprehensive security package with its partners. It would include security guarantees from Nato and the European Union, a strong Ukrainian army with adequate numbers, weapons and financial support for a set period. He also mentioned a so-called Prosperity Plan, but the sources we read did not give its details.

Moscow's position

The Polish outlet rp.pl notes that Vladimir Putin is not changing his demands. According to that report, Moscow requires Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Donetsk oblast. The information about the US proposal comes from Zelensky himself, and in the sources we read there was no comment from the US side.

The issue concerns negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. No agreement or decision date has been announced so far, and the situation could change in the coming days.