GEOFF BENNETT: Ukraine's president today# floated a possible compromise to a Russian## demand that Kyiv give up territory in# the Eastern Donetsk region.

Volodymyr## Zelenskyy spoke after he met with# senior administration officials and## sent new edits to the document at the heart# of the U.S.

push to end the war in Ukraine.

Nick Schifrin is here following all of this.

So, Nick, what does Zelenskyy say today about# this crucial question, the fate of Donetsk?

NICK SCHIFRIN: It is crucial, Geoff,# because any Ukrainian withdrawal from## territory it controls today would# be illegal under Ukrainian law.## And this is by far the most contentious# part of the peace plan for Zelenskyy.

So let's take a look at the map.

Zelenskyy# says and other European officials confirmed## to me that the current deal would# have Ukraine give up the portion of## the Donetsk region that it controls.# It's that white portion right there## inside the Donbass.

Russia has failed# to capture it through 11 years of war.

That would give Russia control over the entire# Donbass.

Zelenskyy said today that the U.S.## is now calling that area -- quote -- "free# economic zone."

Russia calls it demilitarized.

And in a meeting with the Americans that# included Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff,## Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth, Zelenskyy said# that he told the Americans -- quote -- "Our## position is to remain where we stand,"# meaning on the front lines, and later added:## "The Russians want the entire Donbass,# but we clearly do not accept this."

Zelenskyy said to the Americans: "Who would# govern this territory if it's demilitarized?"

He quoted them saying --# quote -- "They do not know."

But, later, when asked by journalists whether he# was willing to accept this proposal, he replied:## "This will be answered by the people of Ukraine,## whether in the format of elections# or in the format of a referendum."

And that suggests he's considering not# rejecting this proposal, and instead coming## up with a compromise and asking Ukrainians# this fundamental question: Are they willing## to give up territory in exchange for a U.S.# security guarantee and economic investment?

GEOFF BENNETT: So what then# are the other sticking points?

NICK SCHIFRIN: One of the major# sticking points is the fate of## the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.# This is Europe's largest power plant,## and Russia occupied it in the first# days after the full-scale invasion.

Zelenskyy said today and European# officials confirmed to me that## the U.S.

is now proposing that the plant be# jointly run by the U.S.

and Russia.

Ukraine,## of course, wants Russia to give up the# plant entirely.

Another major issue,## will the U.S.

recognize territory# that is currently occupied by Russia?

European officials tell me that the# U.S.

recently inserted a phrase of## legal recognition for territories that Russia# has occupied since 2014 or since the full-scale## invasion in 2022.

And now Ukraine and its# European allies in the most recent drafts## sent to the United States last night, they# have removed that language from the draft.

Zelenskyy also said this, that he# wants any security guarantee from the## United States to be a treaty, and that# would have to be approved by Congress.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, Ukrainian President: We# believe this document should be approved by## the United States Congress.

This would mean real,## solid, legally binding security# guarantees for our country.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Zelenskyy said there was no# -- quote -- "ultimatum deadline," Geoff,## but that the U.S.

wants a -- quote --# "understanding of where we stand" by Christmas.

GEOFF BENNETT: You mentioned# Ukraine's European allies.## What are they saying about all of this today?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today, the coalition of the# willing, that's led by the United Kingdom## and France, they met virtually to talk about# how they can support Ukraine in the future,## including sending troops into# Ukraine to enforce a cease-fire.

And, afterward, NATO Secretary-General Mark# Rutte had a really stark warning that his## Europe -- to his European colleagues that we,# as in NATO, might be Russia's next target.

MARK RUTTE, NATO Secretary-General: I fear that# too many are quietly complacent.

Too many don't## feel the urgency.

And too many believe that time# is on our side.

It is not.

The time for action is## now.

Conflict is at our door.

Russia has brought# war back to Europe, and we must be prepared.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Geoff, that is a fundamental# divide.

You have a NATO secretary-general## talking about Russian invasion of Europe# possible and the White House releasing a## document, national security strategy,# talking about strategic stability with## Russia and creating economic investments# with Russia as part of a Ukraine deal.

That's a real divide right at the heart# of the transatlantic relationship.

GEOFF BENNETT: Indeed.

Nick Schifrin, our thanks to you, as always.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.