Ukraine hits out at NATO official’s ‘unacceptable’ suggestion

A Ukrainian consultant slammed the suggestion as “absolutely unacceptable” after a NATO official mentioned that Kyiv could also be required to cede territories to Moscow in alternate for its accession to the Western navy alliance.

Stian Jenssen, Director of the Private Office of the NATO Secretary General, was collaborating in a debate in Norway when he hinted on the chance.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, he mentioned: “I believe {that a} answer may very well be for Ukraine to surrender a part of its territory and get NATO membership in return.”

While saying it was “important” to debate the trail to Ukraine‘s NATO membership, the official additionally pressured such a choice must be made by Kyiv alone.

Ukraine was fast to reply to Mr Jenssen, with the spokesman for the nation’s Foreign Ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, writing on Facebook: “The head of the employees of the NATO Secretary General admitted that Ukraine may grow to be a member of the North Atlantic Alliance in case of territorial concessions to the Russian Federation.

“Talks about Ukraine becoming a member of NATO in alternate for giving up a part of Ukrainian territories are completely unacceptable.

“It was all the time assumed that the Alliance, like Ukraine, doesn’t commerce territories. The aware or unconscious participation of NATO officers in shaping the narrative about the opportunity of Ukraine giving up its territories performs into the arms of Russia.

“Instead, it’s within the pursuits of Euro-Atlantic safety to debate methods to hurry up Ukraine‘s victory and its acquisition of full membership in NATO.”

The remarks by Mr Jenssen also appeared to be sidelined by a source, described as a NATO official, who said on Tuesday evening the alliance “totally helps Ukraine‘s sovereignty”.

Speaking to European Pravda, the supply mentioned: “We totally help Ukraine‘s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as NATO leaders reaffirmed on the Vilnius Summit in July.

“We will proceed to help Ukraine so long as vital, and we’re dedicated to reaching a simply and lasting peace.”

The insider added solely Ukraine can resolve when to strike a cope with Russia and on what situations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky beforehand drew a 10-point peace plan to finish the struggle began by Russia‘s unlawful invasion of his nation in February 2022.

The factors, which additionally handle the problems of nuclear security, baby abductions and environmental harm amongst others, demand Russia to totally restore Ukraine‘s territorial integrity.

As a part of his peace situations, Kyiv desires to see returned not simply the 4 Ukrainian areas invaded and annexed by Russia in 2022 but in addition Crimea, illegally made Russian by Moscow in 2014.