NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced in Brussels on Monday that NATO has announced that it will support Ukraine when an unusually large number of Russian troops gather near the Ukrainian border.
Stoltenberg said in an interview: “In recent weeks, we have seen a large-scale build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, very concentrated.” Press conference“Any further provocations or aggressive actions by Russia will cause serious concern.”
Stoltenberg did not speculate on Russia’s intentions, and it is not yet clear. However, Russia has taken similar actions in the past to threaten Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba believes that the military buildup is an attempt to destabilize Ukraine from within. Russia has been supporting separatist militants in the Donbass region of southeastern Ukraine.
“Military buildup is the main plan, accompanied by internal efforts to destabilize Ukraine, or… The military buildup will serve as a background force, as a background argument for efforts to destabilize Russia,” Kuleba explained at the meeting. Press conference.
After the Ukrainian Revolution in 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. At that time, Russia determined that the result of the revolution was an illegal coup by former President Viktor Yanukovych. Russia subsequently invaded Crimea and declared independence, making the country and the city of Sevastopol the main body of the Russian Federation.
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict continues, vying for Crimea and Donbass. Many Western countries and the United Nations believe that this annexation violates international law. Russia’s actions resulted in the country’s participation in the G8 being suspended.
Stoltenberg insisted on Press conference “NATO’s presence in the Black Sea region and the Baltic Sea region is a defensive presence. Due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we have increased our military presence in the eastern part of the alliance since 2014.”
