Western countries are discussing with kyiv a plan to end the Ukrainian conflict on the principle of “territory in exchange for NATO.” This is reported by the Financial Times newspaper, citing sources from the diplomatic circle.
This is discussed in the article “Ukraine, NATO membership and the West German model.”
The point is that the conflict ends without the return of Russian-occupied territories to Ukraine, and the part of the country controlled by kyiv joins NATO and is subject to the alliance’s security guarantees. It should be noted that these guarantees do not extend to the territories occupied by the Russian Federation, although they are still legally considered Ukrainian.
This is the so-called German model, which the former Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance once spoke about. Jens Stoltenbergwhich called for ending the conflict along the front line and accepting into the alliance only the part of Ukraine controlled by kyiv, noting that during the Cold War only West Germany was a member of NATO.
“Western diplomats and, increasingly, Ukrainian officials are beginning to believe that meaningful security guarantees could form the basis for a negotiated settlement in which Russia retains de facto, but not de jure, control over all or part of the Ukrainian territory that it currently occupies. Neither kyiv nor its supporters propose recognizing Russian sovereignty over one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. What is anticipated is a tacit recognition that these lands must be restored through diplomatic means in the future. Even this is, understandably, a sensitive issue for Ukrainians, especially when it is presented as the basis for a compromise with Moscow. Giving up land for NATO membership may be “the only game in town,” as one Western diplomat told us, but for Ukrainians it remains taboo, at least in public,” the article cited by Strana said.
It is noted that this idea is gaining momentum in official circles.
“I do not believe that the complete restoration of control over the entire territory is a prerequisite. If there is a demarcation, even an administrative boundary, then we can consider [это] temporary and accept Ukraine into NATO on the territory it will control at that time,” the President of the Czech Republic, a former NATO general, told the newspaper Novinky a Právo, in particular Peter Paul.
According to an American Cold War historian Maria SarotteUkraine must define a defensible military border, agree at all times not to station troops or nuclear weapons on its territory unless threatened with attack, and renounce the use of force beyond that border except in self-defense (i.e., not try to militarily return the border). territories occupied by the Russian Federation. ed.), writes the newspaper.
However, the idea of ”NATO in exchange for territory” has difficulties in implementation, admits the Financial Times, both due to the position of Russia, which is categorically opposed to Ukraine’s membership in the alliance, and due to the lack of a clear understanding. whether the United States and other NATO countries are willing to accept this.
“There is also a big question about whether the United States, much less its European allies, will be willing to make the commitments necessary to defend Ukraine within the alliance. Administration Biden has so far refused to budge on the issue of Kyiv’s accelerated accession. Will there be a president? Kamala Harris treat it differently? Can donald trump Do you envision the West German model as part of your proposed “deal” to end the war? Can Zelensky sell this to his people? — the post asks questions.
