1st LD Writethru: Zelensky says U.S. proposes Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership

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Zelenskyy says US raised a Donbas-for-NATO proposal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 14 November that US negotiators had raised the possibility of Ukraine giving up territory in Donbas in exchange for NATO membership. The BBC reported that the idea was presented during efforts to end the war with Russia, while Al Jazeera said Zelenskyy rejected both ceding territory and committing Ukraine to neutrality. CNBC reported that he would put the proposal to a referendum if Ukraine received security guarantees, funding for its army and reconstruction funds. Reports describe the proposed territorial concession in differing terms, including Donbas or parts of the region.