Stoltenberg addresses Ukraine's NATO membership possibility before full territorial control

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made these comments in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

“NATO Allies have to decide how membership should be applied or work for Ukraine, and we all recognize this. If we say that the only way for Ukraine to become a member is to end the war and gain full control over all Ukrainian territory, then we give Putin every incentive to find a way to continue the war. My main message is that NATO security guarantees are the way to ensure a lasting and just peace for Ukraine,” he stated.

When asked whether Ukraine could become a member without some of its territories, Stoltenberg replied, “Well, that's for NATO allies to decide. We have the ability to make that decision.”

“I believe this could be a way to ensure that when an agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine, it stops there. Again, Ukraine will decide what is acceptable. Of course, it’s up to NATO Allies to determine whether Article 5 guarantees can be applied to parts of Ukrainian territory,” he added.

• In November last year, former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen proposed that Ukraine join the Alliance without the territories occupied by Russia.