The summit meeting of the leaders of NATO’s 30 members ended today with a statement declaring that the alliance would hold Russia “accountable” for the “crimes” it is committing in Ukraine. NATO also promised to give even more support to the regime in Kiev. Ukraine President Zelenskyy addressed the meeting by video.
The NATO statement called on Putin “to immediately stop this war and withdraw military forces from Ukraine, and called on Belarus to end its complicity.” It also claimed that “Russia’s attack on Ukraine threatens global security. Its assault on international norms makes the world less safe. President Putin’s escalatory rhetoric is irresponsible and destabilizing…
“We stand in full solidarity with President Zelenskyy, the government of Ukraine, and with the brave Ukrainian citizens who are defending their homeland,” the statement went on. “Ukraine has a fundamental right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter,” it said further. “NATO Allies have stepped up their support and will continue to provide further political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself. NATO Allies will also continue to provide assistance in such areas as cybersecurity and protection against threats of a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear nature.”
The statement also aimed a shot across the bow at China, calling on Beijing “to uphold the international order including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as enshrined in the UN Charter, to abstain from supporting Russia’s war effort in any way, and to refrain from any action that helps Russia circumvent sanctions. We are concerned by recent public comments by PRC officials and call on China to cease amplifying the Kremlin’s false narratives, in particular on the war and on NATO, and to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
