Zelensky stands firm over Donbas and fears US plan could benefit Putin

Donbas and NATO proposal

Zelensky said Washington had asked for the first time whether Ukraine would leave parts of Donbas that Russia does not control if Ukraine joined NATO. He reiterated that Kyiv would not surrender its territory and said occupied areas would not be recognized as Russian.

Ukraine is discussing a wider security package with partners. Zelensky said it could include specific NATO and European Union guarantees, a strong Ukrainian military, financial support for a specified period and a recovery plan.

If the United States confirmed the proposal alongside other NATO partners, Zelensky said he would ask Ukrainian society whether to accept it. He also rejected the idea of enshrining Ukrainian neutrality, noting that the country is not currently in NATO.

Debate over European security

Zelensky said Moscow wants to reopen wider discussions about Europe’s security rather than focus only on ending the war. He described that approach as potentially dangerous and said it should not dominate the agenda.

European leaders have argued that Europeans must decide matters affecting the continent’s security. Zelensky warned that Putin could raise NATO’s military presence, including American troops, and bring up Finland, Sweden, Hungary and the Baltic countries.

Zelensky said the order should be a ceasefire, an end to the war and security guarantees for Ukraine. He argued that Europe could not have security guarantees without Ukraine.

Negotiations and prisoner exchange

Britain, France, Germany and Italy were among those represented in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky expected three to five European representatives at future discussions.

Dispute over Starshield limits

Zelensky accused SpaceX of restricting its Starshield satellite system in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, saying the limits were hindering efforts to intercept Russian drones. He questioned whether the issue was merely technical.

He said Ukraine’s team believed SpaceX had imposed the restrictions, which appeared inconsistent with earlier assurances from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the system was more under US government control. Zelensky said the matter needed further investigation.