Matty Burnhart, Knitted News16.02.22 18:34 Tu B’Adar A. Tishpev
(Photo: Shatterstock)
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg threatened that Russia would pay a heavy price if it continued its aggression against Ukraine, and reiterated that there was no evidence of a withdrawal of Russian forces.
“For the time being we see no evidence of an escalation of escalation. No evidence of a withdrawal of forces or equipment,” Stoltenberg said at a news conference after a meeting of Allied defense ministers. “It may change of course, but for now, what we are seeing is a massive Russian presence that is ready to attack, with advanced capabilities, all the way from the Crimean peninsula to Belarus.”
Stoltenberg argued that it could be clearly seen through commercial satellites that there was no retreat of forces.
As mentioned, these statements come against the background of repeated claims by Russia that they have begun withdrawing forces on the border with Ukraine.
Stoltenberg further stressed that Russia would pay a “heavy price” if it continued its aggression. At the same time, the secretary general emphasizes that NATO is ready to open a dialogue: “It is not too late for Russia to return from the edge and choose the path of peace. We have sent Russia clear proposals regarding arms control and transparency, we have not received any response.”
The Secretary General of NATO tried to make it clear that NATO would not give up its basic values that every country has the right to choose its path, in contrast to Russia’s attempt to influence Ukraine’s future.
“Moscow has made it clear that it is ready to put to the test our core values on which we have been based for decades. Unfortunately this is the new normal situation in Europe.”
He added that defense ministers had prepared plans to strengthen NATO’s defense and deterrence.
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