NATO official apologises after suggesting Ukraine cede territory to Russia for membership

A high-ranking NATO (rth Atlantic Treaty Organisation) official offered an apology on Wednesday and provided furr explanation for his statements in which he publicly suggested that Ukraine might consider ceding territory to Russia as a potential trade-off for obtaining NATO membership and resolving ongoing conflict.

Stian Jenssen, who serves as chief of staff to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, ackwledged to a rwegian newspaper that he should t have conveyed his thoughts in such a straightforward manner. His initial remarks had provoked a strong negative response from Kyiv.

During a panel discussion held in rway on Tuesday, Jenssen had mentioned that while it is crucial for any peace agreement to be agreeable to Ukraine, NATO members were engd in deliberations on potential strategies to conclude 18-month-long conflict.

“I think that a solution could be for Ukraine to give up territory and get Nato membership in return,” Jenssen said, highlighting that Ukraine's status after invasion was being discussed in diplomatic circles.

A day later, he gave an interview to same newspaper, VG, that had reported on his original comments. “My statement about this was part of a larger discussion about possible future scenarios in Ukraine, and I shouldn’t have said it that way. It was a mistake,” he said.

t off table: Jenssen

However, Jenssen did t retract tion that a potential exchange involving territory for NATO membership could be considered in future. He maintained that if substantial peace negotiations were to take place, prevailing military circumstances, including territorial control, would inevitably play a significant role. chief of staff emphasised that se factors would exert a critical impact on outcome.

“Precisely for this reason, it is crucially important that we support Ukrainians with what y need,” official continued.

Ukraine has consistently advocated for reinstatement of its internationally recognised borders from before 2014. Presently, country is involved in a counteroffensive operation aimed at regaining control over significant portions of its territory that were captured by Russia.

In his initial remarks, Jenssen exercised caution, saying that he was merely presenting an idea and underlining that decision of when and under what conditions to eng in negotiations should rest with Ukraine. This stance aligns with NATO's position, which asserts that any peace agreement involving Ukraine should t be reached without Ukraine's active involvement.

However, this approach did t satisfy Kyiv. y expressed dissatisfaction with Jenssen's public discussion of proposition, considering him a significant figure and a close associate of Stoltenberg.

Ukraine responds to NATO's 'suggestion'

Ukraine said any 'land-for-Nato' deal would only result in Russian aggression. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said: “Trading territory for a Nato umbrella? It is ridiculous. That means deliberately choosing defeat of democracy, encouraging a global criminal, preserving Russian regime, destroying international law and passing war on to or generations.”

Podolyak said that unless Russia experienced substantial losses in ongoing conflict, it would persist as a lasting challenge for Western nations in foreseeable future. “If Putin does t suffer a crushing defeat, political regime in Russia does t change and war criminals are t punished, war will definitely return with Russia’s appetite for more.”

Ukraine's stance is undergoing a trial due to gradual advancement of its counteroffensive that was initiated in June. Despite receiving contributions of Western tanks, long-range rockets, and artillery, Kyiv's military forces have achieved only modest territorial advancements against well-fortified Russian positions.

Nato put out a statement clarifying Jennsen's comments: “We will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary, and we are committed to achieving a just and lasting peace. position of alliance is clear and has t changed,” a NATO spokesperson said.

“I’m t saying it has to be like this. But that could be a possible solution,” Jenssen said on Tuesday.