Politics NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) Read more Close
NTB
Aug 16 2023 13:12 – Updated 16 Aug. 2023 13:50
Jens Stoltenberg’s chief of staff, Stian Jenssen, nuances the statement about ceding territory to Russia in exchange for NATO membership and says the statement was wrong.
– 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, says Jenssen VG.
On Tuesday, he took part in a debate during Arendal Week. There he made a statement that caused a great stir in Moscow and Kyiv as well:
“I think that a solution could be for Ukraine to give up territory, and get NATO membership in return,” said Jenssen.
– That could be a possible solution
From left: Rector Svein Stølen, Civita leader Kristin Clemet and Stian Jenssen in conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg holding Civita breakfast in the University’s hall in December 2022. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Read more Close
When asked if it is NATO’s view that Ukraine must cede land in order to achieve peace with Russia and future membership in NATO, Jenssen pointed out that the discussion about possible status after the war is already underway. He also added that questions about ceding territory to Russia have been raised by others.
– I’m not saying it has to be like this. But that could be a possible solution, replied Jenssen.
– The military situation on the ground, territory, who controls what, crucial
Jenssen tells the newspaper that he needs to nuance the statement, after the quotes went around the world in a number of media on Tuesday:
– If, and I emphasized if, you get to the point where you can negotiate, the military situation on the ground, territory, who controls what, will be absolutely central, and will necessarily have a decisive influence on how a possible outcome of this war will be look out. Precisely for this reason, it is crucially important that we support the Ukrainians with what they need, says Jenssen.
2023-08-16 11:12:26
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