NATO is ready to listen to Russia, but does not intend to compromise on the right of each country to choose its foreign policy. NATO Secretary General announced this Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of NATO foreign ministers on 7 January
He described the talks as an opportunity for Russia to demonstrate “a serious attitude towards diplomacy and dialogue.”
“We are always ready to hear what concerns Russia and NATO is working hard to find a political way forward. But for the dialogue to be meaningful, you also need to think about what worries NATO members about what Russia is doing. This should also take place in consultation with Ukraine, ”he said.
Also, according to the head of the Alliance, the organization is holding consultations with other key partners: Georgia, Moldova, Finland and Sweden, as well as with the European Union.
“NATO will join the dialogue in essence, but we must also be prepared for diplomacy to fail. Therefore, today the ministers stressed that any further aggression against Ukraine will have significant consequences and will cost Russia dearly. Allies remain together with Ukraine, we fully support its sovereignty and territorial integrity and provide full political and practical support, ”the Secretary General said.
Stoltenberg recalled that he would meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba on Monday. He reiterated that any country has the right to choose its allies.
“Allies (NATO members – KR) noted that they will always take the necessary steps to defend our nations and organize collective defense if required. Today’s meeting has once again shown the unity of NATO member states. We are also talking about the fact that North America and Europe must be together to consult on security, to protect our peoples and values, ”he concluded.
When asked by reporters, Stoltenberg added that NATO had “sent a clear message” that it would not compromise on key principles, including the right of each country to choose which security system it wants to be a part of.
“NATO allies support arms control, both conventional and nuclear, but this must be a two-way decision. This does not mean that some restrictions should be imposed on NATO on the one hand, ”the official added.
He added that Russia has not stopped the concentration of troops on the territory of Ukraine and in its occupied territories. This, in his opinion, speaks of the real risks of a new military conflict in Europe, which makes the dialogue even more important.
At the same time, Stoltenberg noted that NATO must be prepared for a scenario when negotiations will not be successful.
“By supporting Ukraine, its military potential, the ability of the Armed Forces, we are increasing the cost of the invasion for Russia. At the same time, we constantly assess the need to strengthen our presence in the countries of our eastern allies. We have recently significantly expanded our presence on land, sea and air in Poland and the Baltic states, ”he said, adding that the impetus for this decision was the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014.
In turn, the mission of the United States to NATO announced after the meeting that all member countries of the Alliance “reaffirmed their unity” in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of Western warnings about tens of thousands of Russian troops concentrated near the Ukrainian border, as well as against the backdrop of demands from Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO will not allow Kiev to join the Alliance.
Moscow responds by accusing the United States of destabilizing the Black Sea and other nearby regions and claiming that the movement of its troops is an internal matter.
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