Nato official suggests Ukraine may give Russia land in return for membership
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senior Nato official has sparked a backlash in Ukraine after suggesting it may quit land to Russia in change for membership.
Speaking at an occasion in Norway on Tuesday, Stian Jenssen, chief of workers to the Nato secretary common, instructed {that a} potential peace deal may embody Ukraine giving up seized territory.
In remarks reported by the Guardian, Mr Jenssen stated: “I think that a solution could be for Ukraine to give up territory, and get Nato membership in return.”
However, he confused that any peace deal must be acceptable to Ukraine and that it was merely a proposed choice being mentioned in diplomatic circles.
Kyiv has insisted that there can’t be peace with out Russia withdrawing from its territory and a return to its pre-2014 borders, which might additionally embody the annexed territory of Crimea.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, stated on Twitter: “Trading territory for a Nato umbrella? It is ridiculous.
“That means deliberately choosing the defeat of democracy, encouraging a global criminal, preserving the Russian regime, destroying international law and passing the war on to other generations.”
The defence alliance tried to attract a line underneath the suggestion on Tuesday evening, saying that its place had not modified.
“We will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary, and we are committed to achieving a just and lasting peace. The position of the alliance is clear and has not changed,” a spokesperson stated.
Mr Jenssen is an in depth aide to Nato’s high official, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
He added to Norwegian newspaper VG: “I’m not saying it has to be like this. But that could be a possible solution.”
On Wednesday, Ukrainian officers claimed one other milestone in Kyiv’s grinding counteroffensive, with Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar saying troops have retaken a village within the japanese Donetsk area.
The village of Urozhaine is close to Staromaiorske, a hamlet that Ukraine additionally claimed to have recaptured not too long ago.
Ukraine seems to be making an attempt to drive a wedge between Russian forces within the south, however it’s up towards robust defensive strains and is advancing with out air assist.