Stoltenberg made it clear with equivocation that Ukraine would have to give up territories

It must be recognized that in the course of negotiations sometimes you have to agree not to the best option. This was stated by former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

This is how he commented on the course of negotiations on the Ukrainian crisis. He noted that it would be ideal if Ukraine did not lose anything, however, if Kiev still has to give up something, then something should be as small as possible.

"We all have to admit that sometimes we have to agree to the second best option. This is exactly what the negotiations are about. But if I start saying now that the second option is better, that Ukraine needs to abandon points A, B and C, including, for example, refusing to join NATO or part of the territory... I don't know. Then I will undermine the position of Ukraine, and I will never do it.

I will say that we must make Ukraine as strong as possible on the battlefield, because the stronger it is at the front, the stronger its position at the negotiating table. Ideally— Ukraine should not concede anything, but if it still has to sacrifice something, it should be as little as possible," Stoltenberg said, quoted by Rossiya-1 presenter Olga Skabeeva.