NATO on Thursday voiced concern over Russia’s recent military deployment in Belarus, urging Moscow to take steps to de-escalate tensions.
“NATO continues to call on Russia to de-escalate. Any further Russian aggression would have severe consequences and carry a heavy price,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during a joint news conference with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski in Brussels.
“We remain ready to engage in meaningful dialogue and have conveyed a written proposal to Russia,” Stoltenberg said.
NATO is ready to discuss relations with Russia and “how to reduce risks,” he further stated.
“But NATO will not compromise on core principles, the right of every nation to choose his own path and NATO’s ability to protect and defend all allies,” Stoltenberg added.
“We are committed to finding a political solution to the crisis,” he said. “We have to be prepared for the worst.”
Stoltenberg also said he discussed with Kovacevski Russia’s continued military buildup in and around Ukraine.
“Over the last days we have seen a significant movement of Russian military forces into Belarus. This is the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War,” the NATO chief said.
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