‘We saw Russia that uses military force against a sovereign European state. The aggression against Ukraine, the illegal annexation of Crimea, and that’s the major reason why we are now growing military presence at out eastern borders’, Jens Stoltenberg said.
According to him, it was Russia who violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and illegally occupied Crimea; that’s why NATO reacts to such actions.
Stoltenberg and Polish President Andrzej Duda agreed in their opening remarks that the Alliance understands possible threats coming from Russia; however, the NATO is set out for continuing dialogue with the Kremlin. ‘The Alliance’s doors stay open for all partners, in particular, Ukraine and Georgia, and this gathering, this Summit is taking place under tough conditions’, Stoltenberg said.