Sec-Gen Stoltenberg: we can't compromise on NATO's right to protect, defend all allies
Stoltenberg, following the meeting with Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili on December 15, stated that NATO remains vigilant in avoiding escalation in the region, noting that ‘any future Russian aggression would come at a high price and have serious political and economic consequences for Russia.’ Photo: Jens Stoltenberg/Twitter.
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that NATO cannot compromise on its right to protect and defend all allies in response to Moscow’s recent demand that the alliance should provide security guarantees, the German Press Agency DPA international reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual press conference on December 23 that the west has to give security guarantees to Russia ‘immediately.’
The Russian Foreign Ministry put forward two proposals on ‘security guarantees’ between Russia, the US and NATO, which include restrictions on troop, ship, and aircraft deployments for both NATO and Russia, as well limits to the deployment of intermediate and short-range missiles abroad.
Stoltenberg told DPA that NATO ‘cannot compromise on the core principle of every nation's right to choose its path,’ adding that this also concerns ‘respecting the sovereignty of smaller nations’ as well.
He also noted that ‘NATO has never made the promise to not enlarge,’ saying that ‘it is in the founding treaty of our organisation that any European country can become a member of the alliance.’
Russia recently released a statement demanding NATO member states rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance.
Stoltenberg, following the meeting with Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili on December 15, stated that NATO remains vigilant in avoiding escalation in the region, noting that ‘any future Russian aggression would come at a high price and have serious political and economic consequences for Russia.’
The Georgian Foreign Ministry stated that what Russia says regarding the Bucharest summit decision is ‘unacceptable,’ adding that it is the ‘sovereign right of Georgia’ to join the alliance which is based on the wish of the majority of the Georgian population.