Stoltenberg: It is important to agree with Russia that there will be no attack on Ukraine
NATO Secretary General at a joint press conference with the German Chancellor said that the negotiation process with Russia must be continued. According to Jens Stoltenberg, "there is a mutual interest in continuing the dialogue, searching for common ground."
Stoltenberg:
On behalf of NATO, I invite Russia to hold a new meeting in the format of our council, which has already resumed work on January 12 in Brussels. Now the main thing is to reach a steady progress in relations. The countries that are members of the alliance express their interest in meeting with the Russian delegation.
The Secretary General of the Western military bloc said that he also sent an invitation to all the governments of the member countries of the alliance, so that delegations would be formed there for a possible future meeting with the Russian side. No word yet on where such a meeting could take place.
According to Stoltenberg, it is important to agree with Russia that there will be no attack on Ukraine.
Stoltenberg:
During the talks on January 12, we have already brought to the attention of Russia that the invasion of Ukraine is unacceptable. We told the Russian side that the offensive would cost Russia dearly. We are ready to respond jointly if this happens. And we made it clear that we don't want that to happen.
At the same time, the NATO Secretary General once again announced the alliance's "open door" policy, adding that there are no clauses in the charter prohibiting the entry of the alliance to specific countries. However, Stoltenberg again did not name a specific date for granting Ukraine the MAP - an action plan for NATO membership.
At the same press conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated the importance of dialogue with Russia, noting that "for the whole of Europe, it will be an extremely positive moment for Russia to withdraw its troops from the borders of Ukraine."
Recall that earlier Russia was called upon to withdraw the Iskander-M OTRK from the Kaliningrad region. Moscow refused, recalling that the Kaliningrad region is the territory of Russia, and on its territory Russia can place weapons where it sees fit.
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