We are ready to exchange Belgorod for Ukraine's membership in NATO - Zelensky

Zelensky was asked what he thought about statements that in exchange for peace and membership in the Alliance, Ukraine would have to give up part of its territory.

"Exchange territory? Ready to exchange Belgorod for our NATO membership”, replied the Ukrainian president.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a visit to Denmark right after he visited the Netherlands.

On August 20, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky together with First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived at an official visit to the Netherlands today.

What is known about Stian Jenssen's statement

On August 15, the journal Verdens Gang published an assumption by NATO Secretary General Stian Jensen's chief of staff that Ukraine would be able to gain membership in the Alliance in exchange for some territories. The publication noted that, according to Jenssen, this may be part of the end of the war. At the same time, he recalled the words of his leader, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, that "Ukraine must decide for itself when and on what terms it wants to negotiate with Russia".

The following day, the Chief of Staff of the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Stian Jenssen, apologized for his statement that Ukraine could join NATO in exchange for "giving up" part of its territory. He admitted that it was his mistake and that his statement was part of a wider discussion.

The official representative of the bloc confirmed, that the North Atlantic Alliance fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The position is clear and has not changed", he said.

In July 2023, after the results of the NATO summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would never relinquish its territories, "even if it were a village where one grandfather lives."