The US would continue to support Ukraine's military, but Kyiv would have to accept Russian ownership of the land Moscow has seized.
Nato chief Mark Rutte said it was crucial Kyiv was closely involved in any talks about the war in Ukraine after months of Putin threats.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has also been adamant that there is no chance Ukraine would be allowed to join Nato.
US president Trump is pressing for a swift end to the conflict, while Zelensky is calling for tough security guarantees from Washington as part of any deal with Russia.
British PM Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday that Ukraine is on an “irreversible path to Nato” in a phone call with Zelensky, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
