NATO Sec Gen evokes invasion of Georgia by Russia in Moscow’s “pattern” of using force to achieve political aims
Stoltenberg named the 1990s wars in Chechnya, the 2008 invasion of the Georgian territory by Russian forces, and the Kremlin’s involvement in the Syrian conflict among examples. Photo: Reuters
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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said Russia’s attack on Ukraine showed a “pattern over many years” that saw Moscow using military force to achieve its political aims, including in Georgia in 2008.
Stoltenberg named the 1990s wars in Chechnya, the 2008 invasion of the Georgian territory by Russian forces, and the Kremlin’s involvement in the Syrian conflict among examples.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine is part of a pattern over many years, where Moscow uses military force to achieve its political aims. The destruction of Grozny, the invasion of Georgia, the annexation of Crimea, the bombing of Aleppo and now, the war in Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
NATO Secretary General said allies within the organisation agreed NATO enlargement had been a “great success” spreading “freedom and democracy” across Europe.
At the NATO Summit in Madrid next month, NATO leaders will make bold decisions: to continue to strengthen and adapt our Alliance for this more dangerous and competitive world. The conflict in Ukraine has underlined the importance of Europe and North America standing together in NATO,” he concluded.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the alliance will 'continue to provide support' to Georgia and Ukraine on their way towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that Russia should withdraw its forces from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, noting “they are deployed without these countries’ consent.” He underscored that NATO respects Georgia’s and Ukraine’s decision to apply for membership of the alliance, adding it is the reason why NATO “has engaged in a very strong and close partnership with both these countries.”
Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspiration as a top priority of the country's foreign and security policy was discussed on Wednesday during a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Friday said the upcoming Madrid Summit would be a “good opportunity” for the alliance to reaffirm its support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic path.
The joint Delegation of Canada to NATO on Friday said the country “strongly supported” Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, including eventual membership in NATO.