Stoltenberg admits territorial concessions by Ukraine to achieve peace

Ukraine may temporarily cede territories to end the conflict. This was stated by former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on December 2.

"We need a ceasefire line, and, of course, this line should ideally include all the territories that Russia controls by now. <...> However, we see that this is not quite realistic in the near future," the N-TV television channel quoted him as saying.

At the same time, he said that this does not mean that Kiev should permanently give up these territories.

Stoltenberg specified that Ukraine could "temporarily cede the territories" if there were security guarantees. As insurance, the former NATO secretary-general suggested that Ukraine join the North Atlantic Alliance. However, in his opinion, there are "other ways to arm and support Ukrainians".

Earlier, on November 29, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the country would be defeated in the conflict with Russia. The politician pointed out that Ukraine lacked the means to turn the situation in the war zone in its favor. In addition, he said that Western countries expect Kiev to make concessions for the sake of a peace agreement.

For his part, the head of the Polish National Security Bureau, Jacek Sever, said that Russia was winning the conflict in Ukraine. If we look from the point of view of the area of the occupied territory, Russia will win in this conflict, Sever specified.

Before that, on September 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia will win the conflict unleashed by the West by the hands of Ukrainians. According to him, in order to return to the origins of the UN, the West must realize the inevitability of losing in the conflict unleashed "both against Russia and against international law."

The same month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no alternative for Russia to winning the special military operation. According to him, it is necessary to continue the SWO, aligning its actions with the position of Western countries in order to achieve all goals, fulfill all tasks and win the conflict. He emphasized that Russia will complete the SWO when it ensures security for future generations.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, is ongoing. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.