Stoltenberg Says Kiev Might Need to Consider Ceding Land
Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg suggested that Ukraine might need to accept the possibility of losing certain territories to Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
According to the former NATO chief, Ukraine might need to concede some territory to achieve peace with Russia. Jens Stoltenberg, in his first extensive interview since concluding his term as NATO secretary-general, made these remarks regarding Ukraine's path to security guarantees.
Stoltenberg, who wrapped up his decade-long leadership of the US-led alliance on October 1, spoke with the Financial Times, indicating that Ukraine may have to reconsider its firm stance on restoring the 1991 borders as a condition for any peace negotiations.
He suggested that a “kind of new momentum” is expected to follow the upcoming US presidential election in early November, which could lead to “ways to try to get movement on the battlefield combined with movement around the negotiating table.”
Stoltenberg emphasized the need for the West to “make the conditions” that would allow Ukraine to “sit down with the Russians and get something which is acceptable... something where they survive as an independent nation.”
When asked about advice for Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Stoltenberg drew a parallel to the resolution of the Soviet-Finnish war nearly 85 years ago.
“Finland fought a brave war against the Soviet Union in ‘39. They imposed much bigger costs on the Red Army than expected,” he noted. “The war ended with them giving up 10% of the territory. But they got a secure border.”
This reference points to the March 1940 treaty, under which Finland lost significant areas of the Karelia region and Viipuri, its then-second-largest city.
Stoltenberg contended that Ukraine could still secure NATO guarantees even if the drawn border does not align with internationally recognized boundaries. He cited that the US defense agreement with Japan does not address Tokyo's claims over the Kuril Islands, currently under Russian control, and mentioned that West Germany became a NATO member despite East Germany being governed by a Soviet-backed regime at the time.
“When there is a will, there are ways to find the solution. But you need a line which defines where Article 5 is invoked, and Ukraine has to control all the territory until that border,” Stoltenberg stated, referring to NATO’s mutual defense clause.
Russia has already made clear its rejection of Zelensky’s ten-point ‘peace formula’ and has no intention of surrendering control over Crimea and four other regions, which Ukraine and its allies continue to regard as occupied territory.
Following the unsuccessful 2023 counteroffensive and Russia's renewed successes in Donbass, Ukraine’s chances of enforcing its conditions appear increasingly unlikely. The Russian military has made significant progress throughout 2024, reclaiming several heavily fortified towns, including Avdeevka in February and Ugledar earlier this week.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Stoltenberg, who wrapped up his decade-long leadership of the US-led alliance on October 1, spoke with the Financial Times, indicating that Ukraine may have to reconsider its firm stance on restoring the 1991 borders as a condition for any peace negotiations.
He suggested that a “kind of new momentum” is expected to follow the upcoming US presidential election in early November, which could lead to “ways to try to get movement on the battlefield combined with movement around the negotiating table.”
Stoltenberg emphasized the need for the West to “make the conditions” that would allow Ukraine to “sit down with the Russians and get something which is acceptable... something where they survive as an independent nation.”
When asked about advice for Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Stoltenberg drew a parallel to the resolution of the Soviet-Finnish war nearly 85 years ago.
“Finland fought a brave war against the Soviet Union in ‘39. They imposed much bigger costs on the Red Army than expected,” he noted. “The war ended with them giving up 10% of the territory. But they got a secure border.”
This reference points to the March 1940 treaty, under which Finland lost significant areas of the Karelia region and Viipuri, its then-second-largest city.
Stoltenberg contended that Ukraine could still secure NATO guarantees even if the drawn border does not align with internationally recognized boundaries. He cited that the US defense agreement with Japan does not address Tokyo's claims over the Kuril Islands, currently under Russian control, and mentioned that West Germany became a NATO member despite East Germany being governed by a Soviet-backed regime at the time.
“When there is a will, there are ways to find the solution. But you need a line which defines where Article 5 is invoked, and Ukraine has to control all the territory until that border,” Stoltenberg stated, referring to NATO’s mutual defense clause.
Russia has already made clear its rejection of Zelensky’s ten-point ‘peace formula’ and has no intention of surrendering control over Crimea and four other regions, which Ukraine and its allies continue to regard as occupied territory.
Following the unsuccessful 2023 counteroffensive and Russia's renewed successes in Donbass, Ukraine’s chances of enforcing its conditions appear increasingly unlikely. The Russian military has made significant progress throughout 2024, reclaiming several heavily fortified towns, including Avdeevka in February and Ugledar earlier this week.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
