NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has emphasized that it is up to Ukraine to decide when it wants to negotiate peace with Russia, downplaying comments made by his chief of staff about a potential land-for-NATO-membership agreement. Stoltenberg made these remarks at the Arendal democracy festival, following controversy caused by his aide’s suggestion that Ukraine could “give up territory” for peace and NATO membership.
Stoltenberg stated that the path to a settlement is to support Ukraine militarily, as military support is crucial for achieving lasting and just peace. He emphasized that Ukraine alone has the authority to determine when the conditions for negotiations are met and what an acceptable solution would be. NATO’s role is to provide support to Ukraine in this process.
This is the third attempt in three days to address the controversy caused by Stoltenberg’s aide, Stian Jenssen. NATO released a statement reaffirming its support for Ukraine, and Jenssen himself apologized, acknowledging that he had spoken too simplistically.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has been ongoing for 18 months, shows no signs of resolution. Ukraine is focused on expelling the invaders from its borders, while Russia aims to consolidate the territory it has seized since February 2022, which is roughly the size of Portugal.
The slow progress of Ukraine’s counter-offensive has raised questions about the duration of the war and the possibility of a diplomatic trade-off. However, such a scenario is feared by Kyiv’s political elite, as it could imply a settlement being imposed on the country.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, criticized the idea of handing over territory, stating that criminals should not be encouraged by the notion of “land for peace.” He emphasized that Crimea and Donbas are integral parts of Ukraine, and the only way to end the war is to restore international law in these territories.
Podolyak primarily directed his criticism at former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who called for diplomacy, discussions, and talks to resolve the conflict. Sarkozy warned of the ongoing risk of military escalation and emphasized the need for compromise to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
NATO members have been increasing their support for Ukraine by supplying modern artillery, long-range missiles, and tanks, despite concerns about escalation. Russia, on the other hand, has not targeted NATO forces directly, although its leaders claim to be engaged in a direct struggle with the West.
However, there are limitations to the support provided by the West. While commitments have been made to help Ukraine acquire F-16 fighter jets and train pilots and ground crew, progress has been slow. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force acknowledged that Ukraine will not be able to defend itself with F-16s this fall and winter.
According to a report by The Washington Post, the first batch of six Ukrainian pilots will not be ready to fly the planes until the summer of 2024.
How does NATO plan to address the controversy surrounding the suggestion of territorial concessions for Ukraine’s NATO membership
Ressing its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Russia continues to assert its influence in the region. The issue of NATO membership for Ukraine has also been a contentious topic, particularly with regards to potential territorial concessions.
In light of this, Stoltenberg’s recent remarks aim to clarify NATO’s position and downplay any suggestions of a land-for-membership agreement. He highlighted that it is ultimately up to Ukraine to decide when it is ready to engage in peace negotiations with Russia. Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of military support for Ukraine, stating that it is crucial for achieving a lasting and just peace.
NATO’s role in this process, according to Stoltenberg, is to provide support to Ukraine as it determines the conditions for negotiations and the acceptable solutions. The statement from NATO reaffirms the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine and its support for its sovereignty.
This is the third attempt by NATO to address the controversy caused by Stoltenberg’s chief of staff, who had suggested that Ukraine could potentially give up territory for peace and NATO membership. In response, Jenssen issued an apology, acknowledging that his remarks were overly simplistic.
It is evident that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is far from resolved. Ukraine remains focused on preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Russia continues to exert its influence in the region. The discussion of NATO membership for Ukraine remains a sensitive and complex issue, and it is crucial for all parties involved to approach it with caution and careful deliberation.
That’s great to hear! It’s important for NATO to show solidarity with Ukraine in their efforts for peace.