Sec-Gen Stoltenberg: NATO allies call on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova
Stoltenberg pointed out that the Russian military forces in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova are 'uninvited and not welcomed.' Photo: NATO press office
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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.
Stoltenberg pointed out that the Russian military forces in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova are 'uninvited and not welcomed.'
Russia has military forces in Georgia, in Ukraine, in Crimea, and also in Moldova. And these forces are there without the consent of the governments of these countries... NATO Allies also in the meeting today, called on Russia to withdraw those forces and to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, of Ukraine, of Moldova, he told the press.
Stoltenberg noted that during the meeting, Russia raised the proposals they published in December, urging NATO to stop admitting new members to the Alliance and to withdraw forces from Eastern allies.
However, the Alliance reaffirmed the 'right for each nation to choose its own security arrangements.'
???? LIVE SOON
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 12, 2022
????️ Press conference following the meeting of the #NATO-#Russia Council
????@NATO HQ, Brussels https://t.co/BbtTepvEDf
The Russian Foreign Ministry put forward two proposals on ‘security guarantees’ between Russia, the US and NATO on December 17, 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.
On December 10, Russia released a statement demanding NATO member states rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's goal of becoming members of the alliance.
Stoltenberg later turned down Russia's demands, saying that they violate 'core principles for European security.'
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that NATO’s stance on Georgia and Ukraine is unwavering and that they [partner countries] will tell Russia at NATO-Russia talks today that the alliance’s position towards both countries will not be revised.
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.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman stated yesterday following the Russia-US Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD) that the US ‘will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open door policy,’ adding that the policy has ‘always been central to the NATO Alliance.'
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.
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 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.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has responded to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement calling on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia, stating that Georgia can rely on its partners in these difficult geopolitical times ‘to continue supporting our sovereignty and territorial integrity.’
US Ambassador to OSCE Michael Carpenter stated today at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna that ‘Russia’s unwanted military presence on the territory of Georgia and Moldova continues to contradict fundamental principles.’
Georgia has carried out ‘impressive reforms’ while enhancing its defence capabilities through the substantial NATO-Georgia package, Head of NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer stated yesterday following two-day meetings of the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session (MCCS).
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has said that Georgia is a 'valued partner' of NATO and the United States following consultations regarding Russia's 'aggressive actions' with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and US Assistant Secretary Karen Donfried yesterday evening.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Georgia 'strongly condemns' cyber attacks against the Ukrainian government websites, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian MFA.
NATO will not reconsider its decisions regarding Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said following his meeting with the alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Monday.
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 Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has expressed solidarity to Ukraine and its people stating “Georgia stands with Ukraine” amid high tension at the country’s border due to the build-up of Russian troops.
The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and its citizens, stating “all efforts, deeds and words should be directed to prevent a new war” in the country, on the backdrop of heightened tensions between NATO and Russia.
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.
Rian Harris, the US Charge d'Affaires in Georgia, has reaffirmed the US supports Georgia and Ukraine's sovereignty, pointing out the latter countries had chosen to deepen their ties with the Euro-Atlantic community.
Georgia has repeatedly proven to be a “trusted and experienced” NATO partner capable of making a “valuable contribution” to global peace and security, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Thursday at an event held for the 2022 NATO-Georgia Exercise.
David Zalkaliani, the Georgian Foreign Minister, has been invited to the meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member and allied states, with the event launching next week in Brussels.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Jeppe Kofod will visit Georgia on Wednesday, the Georgian foreign office has announced.
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.
Priorities and future prospects of the NATO-Georgia military cooperation were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the Chief of the Georgian Defence Forces, and Admiral Rob Bauer, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee.
Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, strengthening NATO and adapting it to the growing threats were discussed in a Parliamentary Assembly of the alliance in Vilnius between Friday and Monday, with the Permanent Delegation of the Parliament of Georgia involved.
The Georgian Government’s delegation to this week’s NATO Summit expects “assessment and recognition” of “all the progress” made by the country over the years, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday.
Georgia’s Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday raised the topic of the challenging security environment in the Black Sea region in his address to the virtual-format Atlantic-Black Sea Security Forum involving officials from Europe and the United States.