Foreign Ministers of NATO countries gathered in Bucharest in order to discuss further forms and volumes of assistance to Ukraine in the reflection of Russian aggression within two days, BBC reports.
Opening the meeting, the general secretary of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO would be ready to protect every inch of its territory from the invasion. He emphasized that the alliance “does not participate in this conflict”, but its members provide Ukraine with “unprecedented support” so that it can protect themselves from Russia.
Stoltenberg accused Russia of increasing the “waves of cruelty”, and also mentioned the financial burden, which the walking war laid on Europe and other countries of the world.
The head of the Alliance also said that NATO could not allow Russia to win, as this would prompate Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders with greater self -confidence to resort to the use of strength to achieve their goals.
BBC recalls that the summit in Bucharest is significant in that it was in the Romanian capital 14 years ago, in 2008, that a decision was made on the possible future of Ukraine and Georgia to NATO. Vladimir Putin called this decision the “direct threat” of Russia’s security, and after 4 months, Russia invaded Georgia.
It is expected that on the sidelines of the Summit, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will make an announcement of “significant” financial assistance to Ukraine. Also at the NATO summit they will discuss the increase in military assistance, including air defense systems, ammunition, fuel, medicines and winter equipment.