US President-elect Donald Trump may force Kiev to drop claims for regions becoming part of Russia, said James Stavridis, the ex-Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the retired US Admiral.

"I think he will put pressure on both sides to get to the negotiating table," Stavridis said in an interview with CNN television. Russia "will end up" with territories under its control, he noted.

At the same time, "the free path to NATO" will be open then and Ukraine will be accepted to NATO during three-five years, Stavridis said. "Tthat`s not the worst outcome in the world, and I think that`s how it probably ends," he added.