Stoltenberg: NATO to welcome Macedonia’s progress and to support Ukraine

“Ukraine is not a NATO member but we strongly support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. NATO Allies will also continue to help modernise and strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces,” Stoltenberg stated.

Ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Stoltenberg called on Russia to release the sailors and the ships they have seized.

“We strongly support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Because of the aggressive actions of Russia against Ukraine, illegally annexing Crimea, destabilizing eastern Ukraine and now we have also seen what they have tried to do in the Sea of Azov. NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement of our collective defense since the end of the Cold War, with higher readiness of our armed forces, with combat battalions in the eastern part of the Alliance. NATO Allies are strengthening our collective defence as a direct response to what we have seen Russia has done against Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said.

“We are also concerned about the new Russia missile system, which puts the INF Treaty in jeopardy. It’s urgent that Russia ensures full compliance in a transparent and verifiable way. Because the INF Treaty is so important for our security,” he added.

Stoltenberg also said that ministers at the upcoming meetings will express strong support to Georgia and will support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.