Stian Jenssen, head of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s office, suggested a potential scenario where Ukraine might relinquish occupied territories to Russia in exchange for NATO membership, as per reports from a panel debate in Arendal, Norway. The discussions already underway revolve around Ukraine’s prospective status after the conflict.
Jenssen proposed, as cited by Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, that Ukraine could potentially forfeit certain regions in return for gaining entry into NATO. He indicated that this approach could contribute to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Jenssen noted a notable shift in the discourse concerning Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO. He emphasized the mutual interest in preventing a recurrence of conflict, stating that while Russia is exerting significant efforts, the prospect of acquiring new territories seems implausible. Rather, the focus is on what Ukraine can reclaim.
In response to inquiries about whether this potential exchange of territory for NATO membership reflects the official stance of the alliance, Jenssen noted ongoing deliberations regarding Ukraine’s status post-conflict. He acknowledged that the idea of ceding territory to Russia had been raised by others, although he didn’t delve into specifics. He stressed that this was not the only solution under consideration, but it could be a viable option.
The newspaper’s report contrasts Jenssen’s viewpoint with earlier statements by Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg emphasized that the timing and terms of negotiations to end the occupation should be determined by Kiev.
Jenssen’s statements garnered swift and robust reactions from Ukrainian politicians. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko deemed the idea “totally unacceptable,” emphasizing that the Alliance and Ukraine traditionally don’t engage in territorial negotiations.
Nikolenko pointed out that NATO’s discussions about Ukraine’s territorial concessions inadvertently align with Russia’s interests. He suggested that instead, the focus should be on expediting Ukraine’s victory and securing full NATO membership for the country.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council, found Jenssen’s remarks puzzling. He underlined Ukraine’s unique challenges since World War II and stressed the imperative of liberating occupied territory.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine’s presidential office, criticized the proposed exchange as a “deliberate loss of democracy” and a detrimental move that bolsters criminal elements and undermines international law.
Dmitry Medvedev, vice chairman of the Russian Security Council, found Jenssen’s suggestion intriguing. However, he humorously noted that many of the supposedly disputed territories were subject to debate. He playfully added that if Kiev were to join the alliance, it might have to relinquish its capital, Kiev, with Lviv potentially becoming the new capital, contingent upon Polish agreement. This reference alludes to Lviv’s historical connection to Poland.
Source: novinky.cz
