Belgorod in Exchange for NATO Membership: Zelensky Makes Statement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is ready to "exchange Belgorod" for NATO membership. This announcement was made by the Ukrainian leader during a press conference in Denmark, where he commented on the idea of territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for joining the military bloc, which was voiced in mid-August by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's chief of staff, Stian Jensen, according to RTVI.

“We are ready to exchange Belgorod for NATO membership,” Zelensky said in response to a question about whether the exchange of Ukrainian territories is being considered in exchange for an invitation to the alliance.

On August 15, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's chief of staff, Stian Jensen, stated that Kyiv could join NATO by transferring part of its territory to Russia and thus halt military operations. He specifically mentioned that the alliance is discussing Ukraine’s possible status after the end of hostilities, while issues of territorial concessions are “raised by others.”

“I’m not saying it has to be that way. But it could be a possible solution,” Jensen clarified.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev called Jensen's statement interesting. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, he was criticized, and it was stated that territorial concessions are unacceptable.

The very next day, on August 16, Jensen admitted that his comments regarding the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO after ceding territories to Russia were mistaken. Jens Stoltenberg's chief of staff said that he "should not have said that."