Sec-Gen Stoltenberg: NATO will continue supporting Georgia, Ukraine towards Euro-Atlantic integration
Stoltenberg expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with Russia but noted that the negotiations might 'fail.' Photo: NATO press office
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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.
Stoltenberg reaffirmed that NATO stands by the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration welcoming Georgia and Ukraine's aspirations to become members of the alliance.
We stand by our decisions at the Bucharest Summit when it comes to Ukraine and Georgia. We support and help them on their way towards further Euro-Atlantic integration with reforms, with practical and political support, he told the press following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Stoltenberg further responded to Russia's demand to NATO to rescind commitment to Georgia and Ukraine, saying that it violates 'core principles for European security.'
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— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 7, 2022
Press conference after the extraordinary Meetings of #NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs #ForMin https://t.co/pf2HWYjwFy
Stoltenberg expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with Russia but noted that the negotiations might 'fail.'
We are always ready to listen to Russian concerns, and NATO will make every effort to find a political way forward. But for dialogue to be meaningful, it must also address Allies’ long-standing concerns about Russia’s actions... We are also consulting closely with other key partners such as Georgia, Moldova, Finland and Sweden, as well as the European Union he added.
Stoltenberg has said earlier that ‘whether a country becomes a member of NATO or not is to be decided by that country and the members of NATO, no one else’.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the College of Europe in Bruges earlier today that ‘NATO’s door remains open’ for Georgia and Ukraine. Stoltenberg said that he was at the NATO summit in Bucharest back in 2008 when the alliance made a decision that Georgia and Ukraine will become its members but they ‘did not set any fixed date’.
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.
Russia has called on NATO member states to rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance. The statement, issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanded the security guarantees from the United States and its allies.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at an online press conference following the NATO foreign ministerial today that ‘Georgia and Ukraine are valued NATO partners’. Noting that both countries ‘make important contributions’ to NATO missions, Stoltenberg said ‘today, we restated our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and Ukraine’.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denounced Russia's military aggression against Ukraine as a 'threat' to European security following a NATO council held yesterday, noting that Russia invaded neighbouring Georgia and Ukraine and violated international arms control agreements over the last two decades.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has emphasised the US’ ‘commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the freedom of sovereign nations to choose their own alliances’ during a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on January 9 in Geneva, the US State Department spokesperson’s office reports.
Members of the US Senate NATO Observer Group have urged US President Joe Biden to convey support for the 'security and freedom' for the Eastern European allies to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the NATO-Russia Council meeting scheduled this week.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that NATO allies have called on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held earlier today.
Ukraine, Georgia and other states in Europe “have the right to choose the best futures for their people, including an aspiration to join the Euro-Atlantic community and NATO,” the United States Department of State has said ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Ukraine.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has met with NATO Deputy Secretery-General Mircea Geoana on an official visit to Brussels earlier today. Papuashvili thanked Geoana for NATO's support for Georgia, pointing out that the sides remain "committed and reliable partners" determined to achieve security.
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.”
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio has said that NATO cannot renege on the 'Open Door' policy and its commitments towards Georgia and Ukraine.
Di Maio noted the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supports Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance "at a time in the future."
The European Parliament has reaffirmed its support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations in resolutions on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
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.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said working with the alliance’s “partner” Georgia has been “even more important” against the background of the ongoing war in Ukraine.