NATO is deeply concerned about “a significant, unprovoked and unjustified build-up of Russia’s military presence on Ukraine’s borders in recent months” and rejects “false Russian allegations” about provocations by Kiev and the alliance. This is stated in the statement of the North Atlantic Council, released on Thursday, December 16.
NATO’s main political decision-making body called on the Russian Federation “to immediately de-escalate, use diplomatic channels and comply with international obligations regarding the transparency of military activities.”
“Any further aggression against Ukraine will have large-scale consequences” and is associated with the need to pay a “high price” for it, the Council warned. They added that if the security situation deteriorates, they are ready, if necessary, to strengthen their positions in the field of collective defense. NATO continues to closely coordinate its actions with the parties involved in the developments, as well as with international associations, including the EU.
Russia urged to “withdraw troops from Ukraine”
The North Atlantic Alliance recalled that, as before, it is committed to “supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” and also called on Russia to “withdraw its troops from Ukraine in accordance with Moscow’s international obligations and obligations.” NATO supports the right of all countries to independently determine “their future and foreign policy without outside interference,” the statement says. The alliance’s relations with Kiev are an issue that concerns only Ukraine and 30 NATO member countries, the North Atlantic Council also stressed.
North Atlantic Council confirms receipt of Moscow’s proposals on European security
The Council also confirmed that it had received Russian proposals on European security and announced its readiness for a “meaningful dialogue” with Russia to build confidence if Moscow “takes concrete measures to reduce tensions.” “We clearly understand that any dialogue with the Russian Federation should be conducted on the basis of reciprocity, take into account NATO’s concerns about Russia’s actions, be based on key principles and fundamental documents of European security and be carried out in consultation with the European partners” of the alliance, the Council stated. They believe that such discussions with Moscow could be conducted through the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In addition, the alliance recalled the proposal to the Russian side to hold a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in the near future.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Brussels on December 16, said that, according to the alliance, Russia continues to build up troops on the border with Ukraine. The head of the North Atlantic Alliance called the actions of the Russian Federation unjustified, provocative and destabilizing and called on Moscow to return to diplomacy and defuse tensions.
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