Jenssen made the statement at a debate with the Atlantic Committee in Arendal, Norway on Tuesday, Verdens Gang reports. – I think a solution could be for Ukraine to give up territory, and get NATO membership in return, Jenssen said. The statement has not been well received by Ukraine. “We have always assumed that the alliance, like Ukraine, does not negotiate territories,” writes Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement. He adds that statements like these play into Russia’s hands. “It is in the interest of Euro-Atlantic security to discuss ways to hasten Ukraine’s victory, and then achieve full membership,” Nikolenko continues. Stian Jenssen is Chief of Staff to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. Stoltenberg has previously been consistent that it is up to Ukraine to determine the time and conditions for any negotiations with Russia.
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