After Russian invasion, NATO deploys troops in the eastern part of the alliance

The North Atlantic Council, NATO’s highest decision-making body, held a meeting this Thursday under the article 4 of the alliance, which is activated when one of the member countries feels threatened. The step was taken after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday.

(Due to the public interest that the events between Russia and Ukraine arouse, all our coverage of that invasion and related actions will have free access for all readers of EL TIEMPO)

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“Today we have held consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. We have decided, consistent with our defensive planning to protect all Allies, to take additional steps to further strengthen deterrence and defense across the Alliance. Our measures are and will continue to be preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory”, the North Atlantic Council said in a statement.

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Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, the document that established NATO, indicates that the members of the Alliance will consult each other when, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.

The governments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia They had already announced their intention to request the activation of article 4.

The allies assured in the statement that Russia’s actions pose a “serious threat” to Euro-Atlantic security and “will have geostrategic consequences.”

(Also: Ukraine assures that it recovered city in Lugansk)

“NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to guarantee the security and defense of all allies. We are deploying additional defensive ground and air forces in the eastern part of the Alliance, as well as additional maritime assets”, they confirmed.

They added that they have increased the readiness of their forces “to respond to all contingencies.”

“We call on Russia to immediately cease its military action and withdraw all its forces from and around Ukraine, fully respect international humanitarian law and allow access and safe and free humanitarian assistance to all who need it”, they underlined.

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The North Atlantic Council “condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s horrific attack on Ukraine, which is totally unjustified and unprovoked.”

Equally, urged Russia “in the strongest terms” to “get out of the way of violence and aggression that he has chosen.”

“Russia’s leaders must bear full responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Russia will pay a very high economic and political price. NATO will continue to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders and other international organizations, including the European Union,” he asserted.

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He specified that his thoughts are with the deceased and wounded, and with “the population of Ukraine.”

As well they condemned Belarus for allowing the attacksince some of the troops have entered Ukraine from that country.

He stated that the “renewed attack” is “a serious violation of International Law” and constitutes “an act of aggression against an independent and peaceful country.”

the nato highlighted his support for the Ukrainian population and its presidentparliament and government “legitimately and democratically elected”, as well as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

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In addition, reiterated its condemnation of the Russian decision to recognize the independence of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and warned that the allies “will never accept this illegal recognition.”

He recalled that during the current crisis, NATO, its members and their partners “have made every effort to pursue diplomacy and dialogue with Russia” and affirmed that it has been “Russia and only Russia that has chosen to escalate.”

(Also: In photos: this is Ukraine after the attack by Russia)

The allies stressed that it is “unquestionable” its commitment to article 5 of NATO, according to which an attack against one country of the Alliance is equivalent to an attack against all of them, for which it is mandatory to respond. However, that principle does not apply to Ukraine, which is not part of NATO.

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EFE