NATO defense ministers confirmed that the alliance will not abandon the open door policy, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He noted that the alliance does not see the withdrawal of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine, despite Moscow’s statements. The recognition by Russia of the DPR and LPR, according to Mr. Stoltenberg, will be a violation of the sovereignty of Ukraine.
“Allies confirmed today that NATO’s doors remain open. Any decisions on NATO membership are made by NATO allies and those countries that have aspirations to join, and not by anyone else,” Mr. Stoltenberg said at a briefing following the meeting of the heads of the NATO defense ministries. The broadcast was conducted on the NATO website. He noted that there can be no decisions “about Ukraine without Ukraine” and “about Georgia without Georgia.”
The NATO Secretary General claims that Russia has enough troops and capabilities to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in a short time. “This is what makes the situation so dangerous,” he added.
Jens Stoltenberg commented on reports from the DPR and LPR about shelling by the Ukrainian military. According to him, NATO is concerned that “Russia is trying to create a pretext for an armed attack on Ukraine.” “There is still no clarity, no certainty about Russia’s intentions,” Mr. Stoltenberg said. The Secretary General claims that the NATO countries consider the possible recognition of the republics by Russia as “a blatant violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine” and the Minsk agreements.
Mr. Stoltenberg also announced exercises in Georgia with the participation of NATO.
This morning, representatives of the DPR and LPR accused the armed forces of Ukraine of violating the ceasefire. According to a statement by the People’s Militia of the DPR, the forces of the republic were forced to return fire. At the same time, the unrecognized republics do not observe attempts to break through the front line.
How the Ukrainian crisis will develop further – in the material “Kommersant” “War is war, but Donbass is on schedule.”