- Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine must decide if the circumstances are suitable for participation.
- Nato chief expressed contrition after stating that Ukraine might eventually cede territory to Russia as part of an agreement to end the war.
- Zelenskiy expressed positive sentiments about the July NATO meeting.
Asserting that the alliance’s position has not changed in response to remarks made this week by a senior colleague, Nato secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that it is up to Ukraine to choose whether the circumstances are ripe for it to participate in any conversations following the Russian invasion.
Only the Ukrainians have the authority to determine when the right circumstances exist for negotiations and what constitutes an acceptable resolution at the negotiating table, according to Stoltenberg.
Rejecting prior statement
Adding that Nato’s responsibility was to support Ukraine, he said this while addressing a conference in the Norwegian town of Arendal.
The declaration came after Nato chief of staff for Stoltenberg, Stian Jenssen, stated on Tuesday that Ukraine might ultimately cede territory to Russia as part of an agreement to end the war. Later, Jenssen expressed contrition for his remarks.
The main point of his (Jenssen’s) message, as well as mine and NATO’s, is that NATO’s stance on Ukraine has not changed, according to Stoltenberg.
At its summit last month, NATO stated that it will invite Ukraine to join the military alliance whenever “members agree and conditions are met” and that the nation has the right to determine its course without Russian interference.
The conclusion of the July NATO meeting, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was positive, but Kyiv would have preferred an open invitation to the Western military alliance.
