NATO foreign ministers expressed, on Tuesday, their solidarity with Turkey in its war on terror, pledging to defend every inch of the allies’ territory.
This came in a statement issued by the ministers after the first day of their talks in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, to discuss several issues, on top of which is the support to be provided to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
NATO foreign ministers pledged to intensify support for Ukraine and help repair its energy infrastructure, amid a wave of Russian attacks that are causing frequent blackouts in electricity and heating supplies for millions of Ukrainians.
The statement said: “Russia bears all responsibility for this war, which is a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
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“Russia’s aggression, including its continued and unscrupulous attacks on Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure, is depriving millions of Ukrainians of basic human services,” he added.
He added that the Russian attack “affected the global food supply and endangered the world’s most vulnerable countries and peoples.”
He considered that “Russia’s unacceptable actions, including its hybrid activities, energy extortion, and reckless nuclear rhetoric, undermine the rules-based international order.”
NATO foreign ministers stressed that the alliance countries will never recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian provinces.
They condemned Russia’s “brutality” against the civilian population of Ukraine and its “violations of human rights”.
“NATO is a defensive alliance, and will continue to protect our populations and defend every inch of Allied territory at all times,” the statement said.
He continued, “We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and we stand in solidarity with Turkey in its affliction after the recent horrific terrorist attacks.”
The statement stressed that the alliance “remains committed to preparing for, deterring, and defending against hostile attacks on critical infrastructure of the allies.”
He warned that any attack against the Allies would be met with a unified and firm response.
The statement stated that “Finland and Sweden are participating today as countries invited to join the alliance, and their inclusion (in the alliance) will make them safer and will make NATO stronger and the Euro-Atlantic region more secure.”
Noting that the Western Balkans and the Black Sea regions are of strategic importance to NATO, we welcome our meeting with the foreign ministers of NATO partners Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova at a time when NATO is strengthening its tailored support to build their safety and resilience, develop their capabilities, and support their political independence. “.