The continuing Russian threat against Ukraine and defense and deterrence is the key issue to be discussed at the NATO Defense Ministers’ Council meeting in Brussels on Wednesday and tomorrow in the wake of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Crimea for exercises.
The West, however, has strong reservations. Britain has so far seen no evidence that Russia is withdrawing troops from their positions near the Ukrainian border and should be judged by its actions in de-escalating tensions in the region, the British Defense Secretary insisted. Ben Wallace on Sky News. “We have not seen any evidence of this withdrawal at this time,” he told Times Radio.
“We have not seen any signs of de-escalation on the ground at the moment,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference yesterday.
“We are ready to discuss NATO-Russia relations, European security, including the situation in and around Ukraine and the reduction of risk, transparency and control of armaments,” Stoltenberg said, noting, however, that NATO will not compromise on its basic principles and the right of every nation to choose its own path.
At the heart of the Defense Ministers’ discussion will be the strengthening of defense in the eastern wing of the Alliance with the deployment of more troops, on a long-term basis. According to G. Stoltenberg, France has offered to lead a new NATO battle group in Romania.
“We have deployed more troops, planes and ships in the east. “We have increased the readiness of the NATO Response Force and we have strengthened our battle groups in the Baltic region,” he said, noting that additional US troops are being deployed alongside other Allies in Romania, in the Black Sea region.
On the second day of the Council, the Defense Ministers of the NATO member countries will meet their counterparts from Ukraine and Georgia and are expected to express their strong support for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries. The deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea region will also be discussed.
In addition, ministers will reconsider sharing the burden across the Alliance. “I welcome the fact that our latest figures show seven consecutive years of increased defense spending across Europe and Canada at $ 270 billion more than in 2014,” Stoltenberg said, urging the Allies to continue investing in common security.
The Defense Ministers will discuss the nuclear part of defense and the NATO Strategic Doctrine, which is expected to be adopted at the Summit to be held in June in Madrid.
“As far as Russia is concerned, I can assure you that there will be no attack today, Wednesday. “There will be no escalation next week or next – not next month,” EU Ambassador Vladimir Tsizov told Die Welt, published in a German newspaper.
Α –
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
