NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Last week an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission was held, following the serious escalation of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
Vigilance learnt the meeting at Ukraine’s request.
During the meeting NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Despite Moscow’s hollow denials, it is now clear that Russian troops and equipment have illegally crossed the border into eastern and south-eastern Ukraine. This is not an isolated action, but part of a dangerous pattern over many months to destabilise Ukraine as a sovereign nation."
He added: "Russian forces are engaged in direct military operations inside Ukraine. Russia continues to supply the separatists with tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery and rocket launchers. Russia has fired on Ukraine from both Russian territory and within Ukraine itself. Moreover, Russia continues to maintain thousands of combat-ready troops close to Ukraine’s borders. This is a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It defies all diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution."
Whilst expressing strong solidarity with Ukraine, Rasmussen revealed that at the Wales Summit next week, they would meet President Poroshenko to make clear NATO’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
Lambasting Moscow's irresponsible aggression against Ukraine, General Rasmussen declared without holding back: "We condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s continued disregard of its international obligations. We urge Russia to cease its illegal military actions, stop its support to armed separatists, and take immediate and verifiable steps towards de-escalation of this grave crisis."