Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sees idea of joining NATO in exchange for ceding parts of territory as 'absolutely unacceptable'

MOSCOW. Aug 16 (Interfax) - Any talk that Ukraine could be admitted to NATO in exchange for giving up parts of its territory is completely unacceptable, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said when commenting on recent remarks made by NATO Chief-of-Staff Stian Jenssen.

"We have always presumed that neither the alliance, nor Ukraine would trade territories. The conscious or unconscious participation of NATO officials in forming the narrative about the possibility of Ukraine renouncing its territories plays into Russia's hands. In the interest of Euro-Atlantic security, we should discuss ways for Ukraine to attain full-fledged membership in NATO," Nikolenko said on social media.

Ukraine is committed to further productive cooperation with the NATO Secretariat to achieve these goals, the Foreign Ministry said.

According to earlier media reports, the NATO chief-of-staff suggested that Ukraine could potentially become a NATO member in exchange for ceding parts of its territory to Russia. He also stressed that it is up to Kiev alone to make this decision.