NATO has decided to deploy additional land, air and sea forces along its eastern borders. This decision was taken due to the beginning of a special operation of the Russian armed forces in the Donbass. The corresponding statement was published following an emergency meeting in Brussels.
“Russian actions pose a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security and they will have geostrategic implications. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the security and defense of all allies,” the document says. “We have increased the readiness of our forces to respond to all contingencies.”
The alliance said that an emergency meeting was held in accordance with Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which provides for consultations in the event of a threat to one or more countries of the bloc.
“We have decided, in line with our defensive planning to protect all allies, to take additional steps to further strengthen deterrence and defense across the Alliance,” the statement said. “Our measures have been, and remain, preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory.”
At the same time, the countries of the alliance condemned the actions of Russia and the admission of these actions by Belarus.
“We condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s horrific attack on Ukraine, which is completely unjustified and unprovoked. Our thoughts are with all those killed and wounded, as well as with the people of Ukraine,” the statement said.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for an emergency NATO summit. He called the Russian special operation in Donbass a disaster. This proposal was supported by French President Emmanuel Macron.