The latest news about the discussion of the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for territorial concessions to Russia caused a significant resonance both among political analysts and the public. According to the media, Europe and Washington are considering the possibility of accepting such an agreement, especially in the context of the possible return of Donald Trump to the post of US president, who in the past expressed readiness to quickly end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
NATO is considering a scenario in which Ukraine becomes part of the alliance, ceding the occupied territories to the Russian Federation. The Italian newspaper La Repubblica writes about it.
It is reported that at the last NATO summit in Brussels, the option of accepting Ukraine in exchange for its territorial concessions was not officially discussed, however, according to the publication, this topic is raised "in all informal conversations."
Journalists write that such an "exchange" is considered by a number of experts as one of the possible options for ending the war.
In addition, the publication notes that the EU and the White House fear that Donald Trump, who has repeatedly promised to quickly end the war in Ukraine if he comes to power, can become the president of the USA again.
"Basically, the plan is to leave the occupied territories to the Kremlin. Crimea and four other regions seized over the past two years. And then strengthen the borders. By forcing the rest of Ukraine to join NATO," the journalists believe.
The article also says that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated the need to make military support permanent, not tied to changing politics, precisely with this in mind.
According to the journalists, this is necessary, in particular, in order for Ukraine to retain as much of its territory as possible in the event of the mentioned scenario.
It will be recalled that on April 4, Jens Stoltenberg stated that NATO partners can provide Ukraine with more substantial assistance for the liberation of captured territories. He noted that the establishment of long-term peace in Ukraine requires the provision of powerful armed forces of the country.
In addition, the NATO Secretary General said that there is a difference between inviting Ukraine to join the EU and the North Atlantic Alliance, because joining the defense alliance requires guarantees that the war will not start again.
