Stoltenberg reveals whether NATO can accept Ukraine while its territories are occupied
Jens Stoltenberg, who will soon leave the position of the NATO Secretary General, has explained that NATO member states should decide whether to invite Ukraine to the Alliance while a part of its territory is occupied. Source: Stoltenberg in an interview for the Interfax-Ukraine agency, as reported by European Pravda Details: Stoltenberg stated that NATO allies should be the ones to decide "how membership should be applied or work for Ukraine, but we all are aware of that".
Advertisement:"Of course, if we say that the only way for Ukraine to become a member is for the war to end and Ukraine is in full control over the whole Ukrainian territory, then we give [Russian leader] Putin all the incentives to just find a way to continue the war," Stoltenberg said.
"But my main message is that NATO security guarantees is the way to ensure a lasting and just peace for Ukraine," he added. Asked whether Ukraine can become a NATO member state with partially occupied territories, Stoltenberg replied that "that's for NATO allies to decide". He added, however, that this must become a guarantee of non-admission of future aggression from Russia's side.
Advertisement:"And of course, that's for NATO allies to decide whether Article 5 guarantees can apply for parts of the Ukrainian territory," Stoltenberg stressed.
Background:
- The idea of a possible invitation of Ukraine to NATO "in parts" (with partially occupied territories) was being actively discussed in 2023 amid preparations for the Vilnius Summit.
- Last week Czech President Petr Pavel noted that Ukraine should accept that some of its territories would "temporarily" be under Russia's control after the end of the war.
- Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Ministry called this scenario "temporary decisions which will only postpone the war".
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