Ukraine Might Become Part of NATO Without Including Areas Seized by Russia, Says Member State
The Czech president has indicated that NATO might permit Ukraine to join the alliance even if it hasn't regained control of all its lost territories. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
NATO could potentially welcome Ukraine into its fold without requiring the full recovery of its territories currently under Russian control, stated Czech President Petr Pavel.
Ukraine lodged a formal request to join the Western military alliance in September 2022, amidst its ongoing hostilities with Russia. Currently, NATO has deferred Ukraine's membership until the conflict is fully resolved, preferring instead to establish individual security agreements with Kiev and NATO members. These agreements do not encompass Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which mandates mutual defense among member states against any external attack.
Pavel, who previously chaired the NATO Military Committee between 2015 and 2018, expressed that it might not be necessary for Ukraine to regain all its lost territories before joining the alliance. "I don’t think that the full restoration of control over the entire territory is a prerequisite. If there is demarcation, even an administrative border, then we can treat this administrative border as a temporary one, and accept Ukraine into NATO with the territory that it will control at that time,” Pavel explained in an interview with Novinky.cz.
Drawing historical parallels, Pavel referenced West Germany's NATO membership in 1955 amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, noting that at the time, the separation of East and West Germany was not officially recognized by Western nations, with East Germany under Soviet occupation. Later, Germany achieved reunification following the dissolution of the Soviet Bloc and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
"So I think there is a solution both technically and legally to allow Ukraine to join NATO without bringing NATO into a conflict with the Russian Federation," Pavel argued.
Pavel has consistently advocated for a robust approach towards Russia, advocating for increased sanctions and supporting extensive military aid to Ukraine.
The ongoing debate continues with Kiev demanding the return of five regions under Russian control, including Crimea, despite unrecognized referendums. Conversely, Russia insists on Ukraine renouncing all territorial claims as a precondition for peace talks.
Russia's longstanding resistance to NATO's eastward expansion, particularly Ukraine's ambition to join the alliance, remains a significant factor in the ongoing conflict. As stipulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, peace terms would require Ukraine to adopt a stance of neutrality and limit its military capabilities.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Ukraine lodged a formal request to join the Western military alliance in September 2022, amidst its ongoing hostilities with Russia. Currently, NATO has deferred Ukraine's membership until the conflict is fully resolved, preferring instead to establish individual security agreements with Kiev and NATO members. These agreements do not encompass Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which mandates mutual defense among member states against any external attack.
Pavel, who previously chaired the NATO Military Committee between 2015 and 2018, expressed that it might not be necessary for Ukraine to regain all its lost territories before joining the alliance. "I don’t think that the full restoration of control over the entire territory is a prerequisite. If there is demarcation, even an administrative border, then we can treat this administrative border as a temporary one, and accept Ukraine into NATO with the territory that it will control at that time,” Pavel explained in an interview with Novinky.cz.
Drawing historical parallels, Pavel referenced West Germany's NATO membership in 1955 amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, noting that at the time, the separation of East and West Germany was not officially recognized by Western nations, with East Germany under Soviet occupation. Later, Germany achieved reunification following the dissolution of the Soviet Bloc and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
"So I think there is a solution both technically and legally to allow Ukraine to join NATO without bringing NATO into a conflict with the Russian Federation," Pavel argued.
Pavel has consistently advocated for a robust approach towards Russia, advocating for increased sanctions and supporting extensive military aid to Ukraine.
The ongoing debate continues with Kiev demanding the return of five regions under Russian control, including Crimea, despite unrecognized referendums. Conversely, Russia insists on Ukraine renouncing all territorial claims as a precondition for peace talks.
Russia's longstanding resistance to NATO's eastward expansion, particularly Ukraine's ambition to join the alliance, remains a significant factor in the ongoing conflict. As stipulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, peace terms would require Ukraine to adopt a stance of neutrality and limit its military capabilities.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
