Former NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg spoke about a new option for Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance

Former NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg spoke about a new option for Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance

Theoretically, Ukraine can join NATO even if part of its territory is occupied. This would make it possible to end the aggressive war that Russia has started. Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shared this in an interview with "Interfax-Ukraine".

He emphasized that the decision on how membership will work for Ukraine depends on NATO allies.

"Of course, if we assert that the only way for Ukraine to become a member is the end of the war and full control over all Ukrainian territory, then we are providing President Putin all the incentives to find a way to continue the war," the former NATO Secretary General explained.

He also stressed that security guarantees from the Alliance lead to a long-term and just peace in Ukraine. However, the conditions depend on the choice of the Ukrainians. Russia has already shown that it can break ceasefire agreements, so "Minsk-3" is not an option. Such an agreement would only give the Kremlin time to regroup its forces before new attacks.

"Of course, the most reliable security guarantee will be NATO membership, which includes our collective defence clause, Article 5. I believe that NATO membership can be a way to ensure lasting peace for Ukraine and that the war will indeed end this way," Stoltenberg noted.

He also answered the question of whether it is possible for Ukraine to join the Alliance when part of its territory is occupied.

"We have the ability to make decisions if we want to. So, once again, I emphasize that I believe this can be a way to ensure that when Russia and Ukraine reach a certain kind of agreement, the war will end. And again, Ukraine itself will decide what is acceptable. Of course, NATO allies make decisions on whether Article 5 guarantees can apply to parts of Ukrainian territory," the NATO Secretary General explained.