0:01 27 January 2022
The tension around Ukraine continues to rise: Stoltenberg, NATO
Tension around Ukraine is still growing, and Russian troops are gathering under the pretext of exercises also from the side of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Brussels.
"We are ready to listen to Russia's concerns (regarding security) and engage in a real dialogue on the principles of European security. ... Russia should, however, refrain from demonstrating strength, aggressive rhetoric and hostile actions against allies and Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, where they are deployed without the consent of these countries,” the secretary-general of the Alliance stressed.
"Russia has cut diplomatic ties with NATO, making dialogue difficult. We should restore our representative offices in Moscow and Brussels. We should also make full use of the existing communication channels between military structures to promote transparency and reduce risk," Stoltenberg added.
He also informed that Russian troops were concentrating on the territory of Ukraine and around the country.
(PAP)
