The Ukrainian authorities have considered “unacceptable” the suggestion of Stian Jenssen, a NATO official, who raised a possible handover of territory to Russia in exchange for its membership in the organization. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said in a statement that “a NATO representative is supporting the narrative of a territorial cession is absolutely unacceptable and supports Russia’s positions.”
The proposal was launched this week by Jenssen, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s chief of staff, in a debate during the week in Arendal, southern Norway. This forum brings together politicians, unions, the media and civil organizations every year. “I think one solution may be for Ukraine to cede territory and receive NATO membership in return. I’m not saying it should be, but it’s a possible solution,” Jenssen said at the event. However, the official went on to say that Ukraine should decide “when and under what conditions it wants to negotiate.”
“There are essential moves on the question of a future NATO membership for Ukraine. It is in everyone’s interest that the war does not repeat itself,” the official said in a statement. .
In response to the Alliance official’s remarks, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted: “Swap territories for a NATO umbrella? That’s ridiculous. This means deliberately choosing to defeat democracy, embolden a global criminal, preserve the Russian regime, destroy international law, and pass the war on to other generations.” According to local media, the NATO official’s proposal could affect future negotiations to join the alliance.
