Stoltenberg: Ukraine's NATO membership possible without full territorial return

Ukraine can join NATO even if it does not reclaim its lost territories, with security guarantees applying solely to areas currently under Kyiv's control.

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made the suggestion in an interview with the Financial Times, per Caliber.Az.

Stoltenberg noted, “There are ways to address this issue,” suggesting that security guarantees could be defined by a line that doesn’t necessarily correspond to an internationally recognized border.

He cautioned against drawing direct comparisons, acknowledging that “no parallel is 100 per cent accurate.” He referenced Finland's experience during its conflict with the Soviet Union in 1939, where it ultimately ceded 10 per cent of its territory but secured a stable border. However, he pointed out that Finland maintained a stance of neutrality until it joined NATO last year.

Stoltenberg acknowledged the hesitance from the U.S. and Germany regarding Ukraine's NATO membership, emphasizing concerns that activating Article 5 could lead to immediate conflict with Russia. He stated, “There are solutions to that,” emphasizing the need for a defined line for security guarantees.

He also drew parallels to existing security arrangements, mentioning that the U.S. provides security guarantees to Japan, which do not extend to the Kuril Islands—territory that Japan claims but is controlled by Russia.

Stoltenberg further compared this to West Germany's situation during the Cold War, where NATO’s protections applied only to West Germany, despite West Germany's claims over East Germany. He concluded, “Where there is a will, there is a way to find a solution, but it is essential to establish a clear line that defines the invocation of Article 5, with Ukraine needing to control all territory up to that border.”

By Tamilla Hasanova