NATO Foreign Ministers held an extraordinary virtual meeting on January 7, to address security concerns and discuss Russia’s continued military build-up in and around Ukraine.
Foreign Ministers of NATO members also held a dialogue on the implications of Russia’s assertive posture in the region on European security.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, “Russia’s aggressive actions seriously undermine the security order in Europe. NATO remains committed to our dual-track approach to Russia: strong deterrence and defence, combined with meaningful dialogue. It is a positive signal that Russia is now prepared to come to the table and talk because when tensions are high, dialogue is even more important.”
“We are always ready to listen to Russian concerns and NATO will make every effort to find a political way forward. But for dialogue to be meaningful, it must also address Allies’ long-standing concerns about Russia’s actions. It must be based on the core principles of European security and it must take place in consultation with Ukraine. We are also consulting closely with other key partners, such as Georgia, Moldova, Finland and Sweden, as well as the European Union,” Stoltenberg added.
According to the NATO official release, ministers stressed that any further aggression against Ukraine would have significant consequences and carry a heavy price for Russia.
Foreign ministers also agreed that NATO allies should “continue to stand with Ukraine and fully support its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the principle that all countries have the right to decide on their own path and their alliances.”
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg also made clear that “NATO will always take the necessary steps to protect and defend allies, including by strengthening collective defence as necessary.”
The meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers comes ahead of a series of diplomatic engagements with Russia, and a scheduled meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on January 12, 2022.
