(MENAFN- UkrinForm) North Atlantic Council, the principal political decision-making body within NATO, calls on Russia to immediately de-escalate and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities.

“We are gravely concerned by the substantial, unprovoked, and unjustified Russian military build-up on the borders of Ukraine in recent months, and reject the false Russian claims of Ukrainian and NATO provocations. We call on Russia to immediately de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities,” reads the statement released on NATO website.

NATO's political body underscored that it seriously assesses the implications for Alliance security of the current situation. 

“We will always respond in a determined way to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defence posture as necessary,” the Council states.

It is emphasized that NATO will take all necessary measures to ensure the security and defence of all NATO Allies. “Any further aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and would carry a high price,” reads the statement.

North Atlantic Council reiterate its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and called on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine in accordance with its international obligations and commitments. The Council supports the right of all countries to decide their own future and foreign policy free from outside interference. “NATO's relationship with Ukraine is a matter only for Ukraine and the 30 NATO Allies. We firmly reject any attempts to divide Allied security,” the statement says.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna welcomed the statement by the North Atlantic Council.

'The Council's statement is another clear signal to Russia that Ukraine is an important part of the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region. NATO is ready to take the necessary decisions to counter the Kremlin's military adventures,' the Government portal quotes Stefanishyna as saying.

The official stressed that the proactive response of the international community to the next escalation is key to preventing further Russian aggression.

'We also welcome the unequivocal message that Ukraine's future membership in NATO will be determined exclusively by 30 NATO Allies and Ukraine. This is exactly what the President of Ukraine and the NATO Secretary General discussed this week in Brussels,' the Deputy Prime Minister commented.

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