Ukraine dismisses NATO land-swap rumours as media ploy
The echoes of reports suggesting that Kyiv might relinquish control over the occupied territories in exchange for Ukraine joining NATO continue to resound. On Tuesday, Volodymyr Zelensky addressed this matter. He emphasised that Kyiv "is not engaging in such talks," yet some of Ukraine's allies might be considering such a scenario.
In a conversation with journalists, Zelensky suggested that the information about Ukraine supposedly ceding part of its territory does not accidentally appear in the public debate.
"We are not discussing this. But I think that these media leaks are not accidental. Perhaps some partners may have such thoughts. They don’t communicate this directly with me, but through the media, it’s clear they’re testing its reception," said Zelensky in a conversation with journalists.
When asked if Ukraine anticipates starting talks about NATO membership without the occupied territories, Zelensky replied that "from a legal point of view, occupied territories are not recognised as territories of other countries".
Currently, about 20% of Ukraine's territory is occupied by Russian forces.
Zelensky emphasised that the most important thing for Ukraine is obtaining security guarantees from the West. "The best is NATO. In times of war - an invitation, absolutely open, with a strong position in any format of diplomacy. I believe that this invitation does not depend on the opinion of Russia. When some other partners are confident that – that they are stronger than Russia, then everything will be positive for us in this sense," he emphasised.
Will they give up land for NATO? Ukraine has a different plan
"In light of Ukraine's adjustment of its war goals, the application of the West German model, meaning accepting into NATO the part of the territory over which Kyiv has effective and real control, is increasingly discussed - wrote the British daily "Financial Times" at the beginning of October.
According to the FT, Western diplomats and increasingly Ukrainian officials as well conclude that significant security guarantees could form the basis of a negotiated agreement in which Russia would de facto but not de jure maintain control over all or part of Ukraine's currently occupied territories.
