Ukraine could join NATO despite ongoing occupation — Stoltenberg

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes Ukraine could realistically join the North Atlantic Alliance, even if not all its territories are liberated from Russian occupation.

According to European Pravda (EP), Stoltenberg, in an interview with the Financial Times, said there are solutions for applying NATO's Article 5 on collective defense in Ukraine's case, even if parts of the country remain under occupation.

He pointed to examples such as the US security guarantees for Japan, which do not extend to the Kuril Islands, a territory Japan claims but is controlled by Russia. Another comparison was West Germany during the Cold War, which viewed East Germany as part of its territory, but NATO only protected West Germany.

"When there's a will, solutions can be found. However, there must be a defined border that determines where Article 5 applies, and Ukraine must control all territory up to that border," Stoltenberg added.

Before the end of his mandate, Stoltenberg had emphasized that NATO allies would need to collectively decide how Ukraine's membership should work, especially concerning occupied territories.

He also warned that insisting Ukraine regain full control over its territory before joining NATO could incentivize Russian President Vladimir Putin to prolong the war.

Stoltenberg has admitted that prior to Russia's full-scale invasion, NATO was hesitant about providing Ukraine with military aid, fearing the consequences. He regrets that the Alliance didn't supply Ukraine with more military support sooner, both before and after the invasion. "I take my share of the responsibility," he said, acknowledging that more could have been done to prevent the 2022 invasion.