Ukraine may have to agree to let go of some Russian-occupied territory if it wants to join NATO . Putin does not say this, but Stian Jenssen, director of the private office of NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg , speaking to the Norwegian media in a round table.

" I think one solution could be for Ukraine to give up its territory and in exchange obtain NATO membership ," Jenssen said, reiterating in any case Stoltenberg's line according to which "it must be up to Ukraine to decide when and in which conditions to negotiate with Moscow for the end of the war».

Jenssen therefore reiterated: "I'm not saying it should be like this, but this could be a solution".

Words that didn't go down well in Kiev: " It's ridiculous to swap territories to get a NATO umbrella ," thunders Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak . "That means deliberately choosing to defeat democracy, emboldening a global criminal, preserving the Russian regime, destroying international law, and passing the war on to other generations."

«After all – he continues – why should Russia voluntarily abandon provocations, hybrids and traditional behaviors without losing? Of course, if Putin does not suffer a crushing defeat, the political regime in Russia does not change, and war criminals are not punished, war will definitely return . Attempts to preserve world order and establish a 'bad peace' through – let's be honest – Putin's triumph will not bring world peace, but it will bring both dishonor and war.

(Unioneonline/L)