Stoltenberg explains whether Ukraine will be accepted into NATO with occupied territories
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that only the allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will decide whether it is possible to invite Ukraine to the Alliance, even if part of its territory remains under the occupation of Russia.
That’s what he’s about stated in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, a day before leaving his post as NATO Secretary General. The official handing over of powers to the newly elected Secretary General of the Alliance, Mark Rutte, who previously held the position of Prime Minister of the Netherlands, will take place on Tuesday, October 1.
“NATO Allies must decide for themselves how membership in the Alliance can be applied or function in the case of Ukraine, and we all understand that perfectly well. Of course, if we talk about the fact that the only way for Ukraine to become a member of the Alliance is the end of the war and full control over the entire territory of the country, then we create all the incentives for President Putin to continue the war. However, my main message is that NATO’s security guarantees are the way to ensure a lasting and just peace for Ukraine.”, – emphasized Stoltenberg.
To a clarifying question about the possibility of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, even if part of its territory remains occupied, as was the case with Germany, Stoltenberg answered:
“This issue will be decided by NATO allies. We have the opportunity to solve it if we want to.” He also added that such an option can guarantee that if a certain agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine, the war will really stop. Ukraine must decide for itself what conditions are acceptable, and NATO allies will decide whether Article 5 guarantees will be extended to certain parts of Ukrainian territory.
The NATO Secretary General also emphasized that only Ukrainians have the right to decide on what conditions the negotiations should take place and what requirements will be acceptable for the final decision.
At the same time, he emphasized that if the parties reach an agreement on a new order, it is necessary to ensure that the war really ends there.
Stoltenberg also reminded that the war did not start in 2022, but in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and later began military operations in eastern Ukraine.
“We had Minsk 1, a ceasefire agreement that Russia violated by pushing the front line further west. Then in 2015 we had Minsk 2, which was also violated by Russia, and then a full-scale invasion began in 2022 So we can’t have Minsk 3 now, a new deal that Russia won’t abide by and that will only give them time to regroup and prepare for new attacks the end of the war. That is why Ukraine must be well armed to deter further Russian aggression.” – emphasized the Secretary General of NATO.
“Also, we must provide Ukraine with reliable security guarantees. Of course, the most reliable security guarantee for Ukraine will be membership in NATO within the framework of our collective defense provided for in Article 5. Therefore, I am sure that Ukraine’s membership in NATO can be the key to ensuring lasting peace, and this will really end the war,” Stoltenberg concluded.
