NATO Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg on Saturday urged Russia to keep away from a devastating battle in Ukraine.
“It’s not too late for Russia to alter course, to step again from the brink, cease getting ready for conflict and begin working for a peaceable decision,” he mentioned on the Munich Safety Convention.
Stoltenberg famous that the “danger for battle is actual,” with Russia amassing forces on the Ukrainian border. Russia has repeatedly denied that it has plans to assault its neighbor.
In his speech, Stoltenberg mentioned that the West would “at all times do what is critical to guard and defend one another.”
“Moscow is trying to roll again historical past and recreate its spheres of affect,” in accordance with Stoltenberg.
“So if the Kremlin goals to have much less NATO on its borders, it can solely get extra NATO” in case of a conflict in Ukraine, mentioned the NATO chief.
He additionally slammed Chinese language help for Moscow in its dispute with NATO, because the US-dominated alliance stays cautious of geopolitical ties between Beijing and Moscow.
EU chief: Kremlin coverage is to ‘set up concern’
Additionally talking on the convention, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the EU was prepared to reply economically ought to Russia resolve to invade Ukraine.
“We face a blatant try and overwrite the foundations of the worldwide order,” von der Leyen mentioned. “That is what the Kremlin insurance policies imply in observe: to put in concern and name it ‘safety calls for’.”
“We are able to impose excessive prices and extreme penalties on Moscow’s financial pursuits. The Kremlin’s unusual considering that comes straight out of a darkish previous could price Russia a affluent future,” mentioned the EU’s high official.
The EU Fee chief additionally emphasised the necessity for the bloc to diversify its sources of power.
“A robust European Union can’t be so reliant on an power provider that’s threatens to start out a conflict on our continent,” she mentioned in Munich.
Based on von der Leyen, the EU would get via winter even when Russia cuts off fuel to the continent.
She additionally mentioned that the world has watched the Russian navy buildup with “disbelief.”
“We are going to hope nonetheless that peace will prevail and that diplomacy will take us there,” she added.
Edited by Darko Janjevic